Creating Cozy: Cultural Humility & Indigenous Realities in Psychotherapy

More than a decade on from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Report and its 94 Calls to Action, talking about Indigenous realities in Canada still feels awkward for many. For psychotherapists and counsellors who serve or want to serve Indigenous clients, intentions are often good and confidence is low. Sometimes what’s missing is a place where practitioners can relax into sincere curiosity and feel truly invited to explore what comes up when they have questions. Vistas invites you to a workshop that will support you to practise with Indigenous clients, and to learn what Indigenous approaches have to offer the field, for everyone.

• Encounter theory and framings to help disrupt colonial models of pathology and wellness
• Consider ways to enact “cultural humility” specifically in relation to Indigenous realities
• Learn principles guiding Indigenous approaches to healing and thriving, with examples
• Become more comfortable talking, and asking, about Indigenous issues as they relate to therapy

‍
Who this workshop is for
This workshop is designed for psychotherapists, counsellors, social workers, and other mental health practitioners in Ontario who work with, or hope to work with, Indigenous clients. You don’t need prior training in Indigenous approaches. You only need a willingness to listen, ask questions, and sit with what comes up.

What to expect
The session blends teaching with open, guided discussion in a space that makes room for curiosity, uncertainty, and honest questions. It can be offered to your team online, at your workplace, or in person at our Toronto office at 120 Carlton St. Many practitioners find it a helpful complement to their ongoing cultural humility and anti-oppressive practice learning.

About the facilitatorThis workshop is led by Heather Lash, Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying), an Indigenous practitioner whose family is Saulteaux (Anishinaabe) and Red River Métis from Treaty 2 territory in Manitoba. Heather has called Toronto home for more than 30 years. She comes from a tradition of visiting, where relationship comes first, and that shapes how she practises and how she teaches. Before psychotherapy, she spent many years as a post-secondary professor in access programs and as a publishing editor. She brings that experience of making learning welcoming to this workshop, along with a deep respect for honest, curious questions. Read Heather’s full bio →

‍