HEAL:
Welcome! As an intercultural, multi-ethnic, Guyanese-British, first-generation Canadian, I know how hard it can be to find therapists and wellness professionals who understand our cultural stories and our individual ethno-cultural priorities, in an environment that feels safe and protected. Too often Black, Indigenous and racialized individuals are excluded form systems of healthcare, and are more likely to suffer from oppression-based trauma.
The purpose of this directory is to guide community members toward culturally-intentionally, trauma-responsive, and meaningful care from Black, Indigneous and racialized therapists and wellness practitioners in Ontario.
Please note that I review all applications to the directory to ensure our visions are in alignment and our community has access to relevant and meaningful healthcare, rooted in racial justice and social justice frameworks. Please note that I am not affliliated with any of the following practitioners. This database is a guide - Please do your due diligence to ensure the ethics, value and conduct of the practitioners is professional, as I cannot take responsibility for, or guarantee a successful union between clients / practitioners. With the deepest and warmest desire for healing for all bodies, Carla.
BLACK, INDIGENOUS + RACIALIZED THERAPISTS AND WELLNESS PROFESSIONALS:
*** Listed in Alphabetical Order by First Name
SOMATIC COACHING:
CARLA BEHARRY
Life coaching from a body-based, somatic perspective, exploring ways that trauma lives in our bodies | Group embodiment + collective healing sessions, focusing on healing from harms of systemic racism and oppression.
PSYCHOTHERAPISTS, COUNSELLORS + PSYCHOLOGISTS:
LAURA MCNEILLY
I identify as an integrative holistic psychotherapist, drawing from many theoretical frameworks including systemic, psychodynamic, experiential, cognitive behavioural, and somatic, as well as diverse cultural-spiritual-theological frameworks including North and South American and African Indigenous, Jewish and Christian mystical, and Eastern meditative teachings and practices.
NJERI NTWIGA
My approach to working with clients is grounded in the belief that each person going through challenging and distressing events has a unique way of working through their difficulty. I want to work with you instilling hope in your ability to learn about yourself and what matters to you during distressing times so that you can increase your confidence in working through the challenges and in making changes in your life. We will therefore work together using approaches that best fit your concerns, your experiences and your values. These approaches may integrate a variety of therapeutic orientations with your own traditional or indigenous practices and ways of healing. It would be an honor to accompany you as grow, change or heal.
TAI SALIH
As a Black womanist therapist, my approach to counselling is centred on the experiences and needs of Black, Indigenous, and racialized women and gender-expansive folks. My work is rooted in the belief that we must dismantle systems of oppression that perpetuate violence against these communities and create a safer and empowering space for individuals to heal from the trauma they have experienced due to these systems and challenge the internalized beliefs we have adopted.
In my practice, I use anti-oppression theories and practices alongside integrative counselling to help clients navigate internal and external distress caused by intersecting factors such as race, immigration/refugee status, indigeneity, class, gender, sexuality, disability, age, and spirituality.
I prioritize the practice of self-love, boundary-making, and social support, while acknowledging the impact of relationships with partners, family, and friends, as well as communities, workplace culture, and the broader society.
TERESA SMITH
Registered Psychotherapist | Strengths-based, trauma informed, anti-oppressive | As a Black-biracial woman of colour, I understand the value of making space for our racial and ethnic identity in the therapy space and always welcome the opportunity to assist clients in their journey to explore theirs. It is a gift to work with clients as they locate their inner wisdom and find the light in their journey, making lasting changes to support their future.
YOGA + MEDITATION INSTRUCTORS:
CARLA BEHARRY
Culturally-intentionally + trauma-responsive yoga + meditation instructor | somatic + embodiment practices to heal from racial and oppression-based trauma.
PEER SUPPORT / MENTAL HEALTH + ADDICTIONS SPECIALISTS:
FARAH LAHENS
"Black woman of rich Haitian heritage, born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti | Trained and trauma-informed Peer Support Worker and Group Facilitator with Self Help & Peer Support Services at the Canadian Mental Health Association Waterloo Wellington, offering adults in Waterloo Wellington addiction and mental health peer support, recovery learning groups, and individual peer support | Peer workers are people with lived experience in mental health and/or addiction challenges who walk beside participants who themselves experience these challenges. Connection through authenticity, self-awareness, self-management strategies, and fostering hope through these peer relationships | Creator and facilitator of the Afro-Caribbean Black Wellness Support Group. Individuals can receive the group link by emailing:
AFRO-CARIBBEAN BLACK WELLNESS PEER SUPPORT GROUP
A virtual Afro-Caribbean Black Wellness Support group, runs every Wednesdays from 6-7:30 pm, as part of the Canadian Mental Health Association’s Self Help & Peer Support program. The group offers a safe space for people of Afro-Caribbean-Black heritage to connect, away from the White community, and unpack the intersections of being Black while living with a mental health and/or addiction challenge. The group is drop-in and free and facilitated by me, a trained in peer support worker and trauma-informed support. Individuals can receive the group link by emailing me at flahens@cmhaww.ca