Indigenous Psychological Services

02/22/2026

02/21/2026

We added these lovely Kukom dolls created by mother. This is one of our steps to decolonizing mental health.

Decolonizing a counselling space means intentionally shifting away from rigid, colonial, and institutional norms toward relational, land-connected, and culturally grounded ways of being. The elements you named are powerful examples. Here’s how they come together conceptually:

1. Land as Part of the Session

Including land is not symbolic—it’s relational. Holding sessions outdoors, acknowledging the territory, incorporating natural elements (plants, water, stones), or inviting clients to connect with land as teacher and witness re-centers place-based knowledge. This challenges Western clinical models that isolate healing from environment. Our somatic connection to land changes our internal system. Our nervous system responds to regulation with the connection to land.

2. Moving Away from Institutional Atmosphere

Fluorescent lighting, sterile furniture, clipboards, and rigid seating arrangements can reproduce hospital or bureaucratic power dynamics. Softening lighting, sitting in circles, removing physical barriers, and minimizing note-taking in-session can reduce hierarchy and surveillance.

3. Putting Relationship First

Decolonizing practice centers relationality over procedure. This means prioritizing trust, reciprocity, story, and shared humanity over assessment tools and standardized interventions. The counsellor is not positioned as “expert over,” but as a relational partner.

4. Softening Institutional Symbolism

Diplomas dominating the wall, formal desks, intake-heavy processes, and clinical language can reflect colonial authority structures. Replacing these with culturally meaningful art, community-created items, and welcoming language signals a shift in power and belonging.

5. Embodied and Holistic Practice

Western counselling often privileges cognition. Decolonizing approaches invite body, spirit, emotion, ancestry, ceremony (where appropriate), and community into healing processes.

02/20/2026

I had the absolute pleasure of hearing Tayler speak, and I was completely blown away. She shares her story with such courage, authenticity, and empowerment. Her message is deeply inspiring, and her presence on stage is undeniable. I loved her presentationshe is truly fierce! Taylor McPherson
I’m so happy I was able to be there to witness your magic. People had tears!

02/19/2026

With recent conversations around the idea of separatism in Alberta, many people are experiencing mixed feelings, uncertainty, and concern. In response, IPS is hosting an event focused on learning more about Treaty rights and our rights to access essential services such as health care, dental care, and mental health supports.
As access to mental health services continues to be a growing barrier, this discussion is especially timely.
We are honored to welcome guest speaker Margo, who will join us at IPS to share insight on the current conversations around separatism, Treaty rights, and how these issues may impact our access to services—including counselling—and our inherent rights.
This event is an opportunity to learn, ask questions, and engage in meaningful conversation. All are welcome.
Link to register: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfCNuozMRmaqkAen2oi3M265oYn8eL26gnfMndebZ-5vtVNGA/viewform

02/19/2026

02/13/2026

Meet Shelley ✨

A Registered Clinical Social Worker at Indigenous Psychological Services. Shelley joins our team with knowledge from completing her Master’s of Social Work degree at Dalhousie University and over twenty years of experience as a social worker and five years of experience as a therapist providing counselling to adolescents, adults, and couples.

She works with individuals and families navigating trauma and attachment-related concerns, as well as depression, anxiety, substance use, and grief, while also supporting parents and families experiencing family conflict, including high-conflict divorce or separation. She helps clients build emotional safety, strengthen communication, and move toward more stable, connected, and growing relationships.

Her work is grounded in evidence-based, trauma-informed care, integrating Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), and Clinical Hypnosis to meet each client’s unique needs.

Shelley describes her approach: “I am guided by the Seven Sacred Teachings, which inform my approach to healing and are thoughtfully incorporated into my practice. Clients can expect a therapeutic space that is safe, respectful, emotionally attuned, and culturally sensitive, with care tailored to their goals and lived experience”.

If you feel called to connect with Shelley – Call 587-594-9855 (9am-4pm) to schedule your session.

02/10/2026

02/05/2026

02/04/2026

Grandfather Sun demonstrates a spiritual connection of light and warmth for all of us to enjoy…

Every day, the sun rises, we are blessed with this opportunity to live in harmony with this natural element that has shared so many stories of healing and growth with our Ancestors, Elders, plants, animals, and people.

Grandfather Sun creates an energy that illuminates our physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual interconnections; reminding us that we are never separate from ourselves, one another, or the Earth.

The sun is one we can live with in wellness, welcoming the self back home through connecting to the spiritual light within us all.

The last photo was captured in Wîhkwêntôwin (Treaty 6 Territory) in Edmonton, which demonstrates the immense power of this natural element a part of Mother Earth.

Of the Sun, with words by Xelena González and art by Emily Kewageshig, reminds us that no matter where we are or how far we may travel, we all remain connected under the same sun.

We would love to hear you share — what does your connection to the sun feel or say to you? 🌞

02/04/2026

Grandfather Sun demonstrates a spiritual connection of light and warmth for all of us to enjoy…

Every day, the sun rises, we are blessed with this opportunity to live in harmony with this natural element that has shared so many stories of healing and growth with our Ancestors, Elders, plants, animals, and people.

Grandfather Sun creates energy that illuminates our physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual interconnections; reminding us that we are never separate from ourselves, one another, or the Earth.

The sun is one we can live with in wellness, welcoming the self back home through connecting to the spiritual light within us all.

The last photo was captured in Wîhkwêntôwin (Treaty 6 Territory) in Edmonton, which demonstrates the immense power of this natural element part of Mother Earth.
Of the Sun, with words by Xelena González and art by Emily Kewageshig, reminds us that no matter where we are or how far we may travel, we all remain connected under the same sun.
We would love to hear you share — what does your connection to the sun feel or say to you? 🌞