Indigenous Mental Health
Culturally Responsive Care
Grounded in Community & Relationship
At Dragonfly Counselling & Wellness, our work with Indigenous clients and communities is grounded in relationship, cultural humility, and respect. Our team includes Indigenous clinicians, as well as clinicians with many years of experience working alongside Indigenous clients, families, and communities, including within Six Nations of the Grand River.
Indigenous Counselling & NIHB
We provide culturally responsive, trauma-informed counselling for Indigenous children, youth, adults, couples, and families — support that meets people wherever they are, whether they're working through grief, trauma, anxiety, addictions, family relationships, or questions of identity and belonging.
We understand that for some people, these experiences are connected to broader histories — residential schools, the Sixties Scoop, child welfare involvement, and systemic harm — and we bring that understanding into the room with us.
NIHB coverage
Dragonfly accepts NIHB coverage for eligible First Nations and Inuit clients. Our team can help navigate the approval and billing process, including direct billing where applicable, so you don't have to figure it out alone.
A Space Where People Feel Welcome
Cultural safety is about more than clinical approach — it's about how you feel walking in the door. Dragonfly was intentionally built to feel different from a traditional clinical space: sitting together, sharing food, having real conversations, building relationships.
We don't expect people to leave their culture, identity, family, spirituality, or community at the door. We meet people where they are, and we recognize that trust can take time — especially where health care systems have caused harm before.
Land Acknowledgment & Commitment to Reconciliation
Dragonfly Counselling & Wellness is located on the lands and territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, Six Nations of the Grand River, and the traditional territory of the Attiwanderonk.
We honour the Indigenous Peoples who have cared for these lands, past and present, and recognize our responsibility to continue learning, building meaningful relationships, and supporting Truth and Reconciliation.
The dragonfly mural in our office was created by a local artist, with imagery intentionally representing Six Nations of the Grand River. It serves as a visible reminder of our connection to community and our ongoing responsibility to the land and the people we walk alongside.
We invite all who enter this space to reflect on the history of this land, acknowledge the ongoing impacts of colonialism, and stand in solidarity with Indigenous communities.
Our approach
Learning From Two-Eyed Seeing
We continue to learn from principles reflected in Two-Eyed Seeing (Etuaptmumk), shared by Mi'kmaq Elder Albert Marshall, which invites us to value the strengths of Indigenous and Western ways of knowing.
For us, this reinforces the importance of not assuming clinical knowledge is the only knowledge that matters. Alongside evidence-based care, we make space for culture, family, community, spirituality and each person's own understanding of wellness.
Our Work in the Community
Our relationships within Indigenous communities extend beyond the counselling room. Our team works alongside community organizations and professionals through:
Clinical Supervision & Consultation
Complex case consultation and ongoing clinical supervision with community agencies within Six Nations of the Grand River.
Training & Education
Training in culturally safe, trauma-informed and responsive practice.
Complex Trauma, Grief & Suicide Intervention
Education and consultation supporting professionals working with complex trauma, grief and suicide risk.
Program Development & Consultation
Support for professionals and organizations serving Indigenous children, youth and families.
Our team also teaches culturally safe and trauma-informed practice through Wilfrid Laurier University.
Joelle Laroche, R.P., Ph.D.Associate Therapist/Clinical Supervisor at Dragonfly
Contact Dragonfly to learn more about our services and training.
Our Commitment
For Dragonfly, culturally responsive practice and Truth and Reconciliation are ongoing responsibilities — not something we consider complete.
We are committed to continuing to build relationships within community, listening and learning when we get things wrong, supporting Indigenous-led knowledge and practice, and providing care that recognizes both the strengths of Indigenous peoples and the historical and systemic realities that continue to shape people's lives.