THE ROLE OF ELDERS AND TRADITIONAL HEALERS IN OUR WELLNESS CIRCLE

At INUULICARE, it is our belief that traditional helpers and community Elders hold a revered place among the First Nations Peoples, serving as keepers of wisdom and history. Their guidance and teachings provide a strong foundation, that nurtures community strength and resilience, ensuring that the values and knowledge of the Ancestors are passed down, enriching lives and strengthening connections to each other and to the Land.

Elders and traditional helpers also play a crucial role in crisis management, as they bring deep cultural knowledge and experience that are invaluable in guiding and supporting individuals and communities during difficult times. Their understanding of traditional practices, community history and “culture” allows them to offer relevant and effective solutions for healing. In addition, the presence and involvement of Elders and Traditional helpers can nurture a comfortable “marriage” between our psycho-holistic, trauma informed intervention strategies and the traditional ways of coping unique to each community, ensuring a more holistic and inclusive approach to crisis management.

It is with this cultural value in mind, that we often reach out to Elders and traditional helpers during community crisis in support of our common vision; that together, we support our emergency response and frontline workers in achieving their inner balance and healing.

Here are some of the areas our counsellors and health clinicians can support

  • Abuse (Sexual, Physical, Emotional)
  • Addictions
  • Anger Management
  • Anxiety
  • Career Counselling
  • Coping with Chronic Illness
  • Cultural wellness in a healthcare setting
  • Developing Healthy Emotional Expression for Men
  • Family Counselling
  • Indian Residential School / Residential School Survivors
  • Inner Child Trauma
  • Intergenerational Trauma and Healing
  • Lateral Violence
  • Life Stages
  • Living with Neurodivergence
  • Loss & Grief
  • Marital counselling
  • Mood Disorders
  • Near Death Experiences
  • Panic Attacks
  • Personality Disorders
  • Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
  • Self-Esteem / Confidence
  • Self-Harm / Self-Injury
  • Spiritual Counselling
  • Stress Management
  • Suicidal Ideations & Wish to Die
  • Trauma/ Trauma-Informed Care / Trauma Loss
  • Witnessing Violence & Death
  • Working in Isolated Regions

AREAS OF EXPERTISE IN HEALING MODALITIES

Our team of specialists are well trained in a variety of healing modalities. Depending on the presenting issue, he/she will propose a combination of one or two of the following modalities:

Integrative Psychotherapy

This approach combines conventional therapeutic techniques (CBT & EMDR) with holistic approaches (mindfulness & bodywork) to create a comprehensive treatment plan tailored to your needs.

Neuroprogramming Techniques

Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP)

Anchoring: Creating an association between a specific stimulus and a desired emotional state or behavior.

Meta-Modeling

Challenging and clarifying language patterns to uncover deeper meanings and beliefs.

Cognitive Behavioural Techniques

Cognitive Restructuring: Identifying and challenging negative thought patterns to replace them with healthier ones.

Mindfulness and Relaxation

Using mindfulness techniques to increase awareness and reduce stress.

Behavioral Activation

Encouraging clients to engage in activities that bring them pleasure or a sense of accomplishment.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR):

Bilateral Stimulation

Using eye movements, taps, or sounds to help process and reduce the impact of traumatic memories.

HYPNOTHERAPY

Guided Imagery: Using visualization techniques to help clients achieve specific therapeutic goals.

Suggestion Therapy

Offering positive suggestions to the subconscious mind while in a relaxed state to change behaviors and thought patterns.

BIOFEEDBACK AND NEUROFEEDBACK

Biofeedback: Using electronic monitoring devices to provide feedback on physiological functions, helping clients gain control over them.

Neurofeedback:

Altering brainwave patterns through real-time feedback to improve mental health conditions like anxiety or ADHD.

PSYCHO-HOLISTIC THERAPY

  • Mindfulness
  • Meditation & Trance work
  • Visualization
  • Guided Journeying
  • Inner-Child regression/healing
  • Grounding and Centering
  • Breath work 
  • Art therapy
  • Music therapy
  • Eco therapy (Nature/Land based)

RITUAL GESTURES FOR RELEASE AND HEALING

  • Emotional cord-cutting
  • Floating candle ceremony
  • Floating Lanterns
  • Boats of Gratitude
  • Ancestral drumming
  • Gratitude pouches & letters
  • Primal scream 
  • Calling the Ancestors
  • Contemplation 
  • Chanting
  • Ecstatic dance
  • Space Cleansing & Purifying
  • Sewing & Beading with healing intent
  • Gifting Artwork with blessing of healing

FAITH-BASED RITUALS FOR HEALING

  • Prayer
  • Contemplation
  • Healing songs
  • Blessings
  • Anointing
  • Candle & Incense lighting

LAND-BASED HEALING ACTIVITIES

  • Transmutation of Place of Sorrow into Place of Healing
  • Primal scream
  • Healing with the Elements 
  • Ancestral Healing 
  • Healing Cairns & Inukshuks
  • Berry picking 

SOMATIC EXPERIENCING

  • Body Awareness: Focusing on physical sensations to release stored trauma and reduce its impact on mental health.

EMOTIONAL FREEDOM TECHNIQUES (EFT)

Tapping: Tapping on specific acupressure points while focusing on a problem or emotion to reduce its intensity.

These techniques leverage the brain’s plasticity and the mind-body connection to help you achieve your therapeutic goals.

TRAUMA-INFORMED CONSENT

Therapeutic and healing modalities are carefully curated and personalized to your needs. Your counsellor will describe the different healing modalities available, leaving the final choice of technique to you