Every month going forward, Indigenous Psychological Services will send out our newsletter we call miyo-mahcihoyān to help support your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing. miyo-mahcihoyān is Cree and refers to the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing of a person.
We will showcase language, culture, and stories relevant to Indigenous Psychological Services. You can also expect staff spotlights and written entries as an opportunity to connect with our team. Our goal with this newsletter is to bring more Culture to you!
If there is any content you would like to see in this newsletter that can help your healing, please tell us. If you, your family, or even your agency would like to be celebrated in this newsletter please let us know.
Join Us For Our Grand Re-Opening!
Join us for the GRAND OPENING of Indigenous Psychological Services new West Edmonton Office on August 23, 2024.
Our Grand Opening event will be held in a walk-in style from 12:00PM - 5:00PM. There will be Soup, Bannock, and refreshments. We also have door prizes that include ribbon skirts, drums, and special gifts.
Come celebrate with us as we embark on this new journey of expanding and providing services to Alberta and other parts of Canada! We invite friends, communities, organizations, and people who access our services or have inquiries about our services. We also welcome anyone wanting to connect with our community and see what we are all about.
Indigenous Psychological Services Training Event
Indigenous Psychological Services engages in Quarterly Training events. These staff-only events give us a valuable opportunity to connect with our culture and connect with each other.
This summer, we decided to run a collective training on the Somatic Wheel. The Somatic Wheel is based on multiple platforms of research that bridge clinical and cultural perspectives into a modality that can be used with clients. Our most recent training on the Somatic Wheel was led by the following facilitators:
Jasmine Nanooch shared insights on how the Polyvagal Theory fits within our circle of capacity and tolerance for distress. She emphasized the importance of cultural connections in building tolerance and creating the capacity to handle various styles of stress.
Kelly Hawreliak focused on the cultural teachings embedded in the wheel, highlighting how these teachings align with the developmental stages of clients. She demonstrated how integrating these cultural perspectives can facilitate healing.
Marcus Johnstone incorporated somatic modalities, focusing on working with energy while standing on the wheel. He explored techniques for addressing fight, flight, freeze, please, and disease responses.
Each practitioner had the opportunity to learn and practice these techniques, enriching their skills and enhancing their ability to support clients through culturally-informed and clinically-sound methods.
Leigh Sheldon emphasized the definition of Indigenous trauma and the concept of Two-Eyed Seeing by Albert Marshall, which involves integrating Indigenous and Western knowledge systems.
Awards Ceremony
At the end of July, Indigenous Psychological Services held an award ceremony as part of our cultural awareness training, to honour our dedicated providers and administrative staff. These awards are just a small representation of the countless contributions and the exceptional work our team has achieved. Celebrating our hard work is essential, not only to acknowledge individual efforts but also to inspire continued excellence and reinforce the sense of community within our organization.
All of the awards are being posted daily on our Instagram page if you would like to see more.
Provider Spotlight - Meet Kris Ravindran!
For August’s staff spotlight, I had the pleasure of speaking with one of our Registered Psychologists, Krisanthini Ravindran. Kris is among the most passionate, resolute, and hard-working professionals at Indigenous Psychological Services, consistently going above and beyond for her clients. She works full-time with IPS, dedicating countless hours to ensure the well-being of those in her care. Since joining our team in 2023, Kris has demonstrated the invaluable combination of a strong work ethic and the deep empathy necessary to uplift her clients. Along with the immense effort Kris dedicates to her work, she brings warmth and joy to our office with her bright and caring personality. Her commitment to excellence and tireless dedication make her a cornerstone of our practice.
John: Have you observed any parallels or intriguing intersections between East Indian and Indigenous cultural practices or philosophies in your work?
Kris: When I began my counselling career at Indigenous Psychological Services and started cultural training, I was amazed by the many similarities between Hindu spiritual practices (which I follow) and Indigenous cultural practices. For example, practices such as the smudge ceremony, menstrual rituals, honoring ancestors, and preparing a deceased person’s favorite food on their death anniversary showed remarkable parallels. I felt a deep sense of connection and was delighted to uncover these similarities. In therapy sessions, I share how my spiritual practices align with Indigenous traditions, and clients often appreciate this connection, which fosters a meaningful rapport.
John: What motivated you to pursue a career in psychology, particularly in Indigenous counselling?
Kris: Initially, I aspired to become a medical doctor, but life took unexpected turns, and my plans shifted. I didn't actively seek this path; rather, it found me. I was drawn to psychology to better understand myself after facing personal challenges, and looking back, I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’m grateful for the opportunity to help people navigate their own difficulties and find it deeply fulfilling when clients express their gratitude after a session, knowing I’ve made a positive impact on their lives.
My interest in supporting Indigenous communities was sparked by an Aboriginal Awareness Training I attended while working at the Canadian Mental Health Association years ago. Learning about inter-generational trauma and the ongoing challenges faced by Indigenous peoples inspired me to contribute in some capacity. Although I didn’t initially envision becoming a psychologist, I’m thankful for how the Universe has aligned my path with this role at Indigenous Psychological Services.
John: How do you ensure cultural sensitivity and respect in your therapeutic practices with Indigenous clients?
Kris: To maintain cultural sensitivity and respect, I immerse myself in learning about Indigenous culture through training, reading, and participating in cultural practices. Attending my first Elder’s Gathering last year was a transformative experience, where I was deeply moved by the culture and the warmth of its people. In sessions, I inquire about the client’s connection to Indigenous culture and their preference for incorporating cultural practices such as smudging or sacred medicine card readings. Clients often find that the messages from the sacred medicine cards resonate with their experiences, which they find surprising and meaningful. I’m grateful for the opportunity to engage in this work and to continuously learn from my clients about their culture. This open and collaborative dialogue about culture and its healing potential is something we both greatly value. I am grateful to Creator for guiding me to this path, allowing me to support the Indigenous communities whose land I live on.
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