First Nations, Inuit & Metis Counselling Services
Land Acknowledgement
At Willowbridge Community Services, we acknowledge that our agency was built on the traditional territories of the Anishinaabe, the Haudenosaunee, and the Neutral Attawandaron peoples. We recognize and deeply appreciate that we are working on stolen lands and that our communities have been, and are, benefitting from continued forms of colonization on Turtle Island. We honour the spirit of the land and the ancestors of those who have been here since time immemorial. We know that acknowledgement is not enough.
The Truth and Reconciliation Committee of Canada reminds us that reconciliation is ongoing. We are committed to reducing the inequities and injustices that these communities are still facing today and are actively working towards decolonizing our services.
At Willowbridge Community Services, we believe that the experience of trauma within First Nations, Inuit, and Metis Communities (FNIM) at the hands of the Settler State contributes deeply to the mental health challenges now faced across generations. The legacy of Indian Residential Schools, the sixties scoop, ongoing concerns with the child welfare system as well as the discrimination, violence, oppression and displacement that continue today can make it difficult for individuals to see a positive future. We understand that this is why Indigenous communities face far higher rates of suicide, addiction, mental illness, violence and abuse than non-indigenous groups living in Canada.
If you identify as a member of the FNIM community and are struggling with your mental health, our agency can support you on the journey to build a life you can celebrate. We focus on healing the body, heart, mind and spirit through improving relationships, managing conflict and strengthening community.
Counselling at Willowbridge Community Services offers a safe and caring space that honours indigenous knowledge, experience, and healing. Our counsellors have received Cultural Sensitivity Training and collaborate with community partners to ensure that our services are safe, informed, and meaningful.
Our staff are flexible and open to learning how they can provide therapy from an indigenous perspective and believe that traditional healing methods are valuable tools for improving mental wellbeing for the community.
Our services can focus on:
- Intergenerational Trauma
- Identity/Cultural Identity
- Violence and Abuse Prevention
- Family and Children
- Mental Health
