I’m originally from Nova Scotia, which is the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq People, shaped by the Peace and Friendship Treaties. These roots mean a lot to me. These days, I split my time between Toronto—on the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee, and the Wendat peoples—and South River, Ontario, which sits on the lands of the Anishinabewaki and the Huron-Wendat.

I’m a Registered Psychotherapist in private practice, where I lead a small clinic that supports folks navigating stress, trauma, and anxiety. My academic path includes a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Guelph, a Certificate in Crisis Management and Human Psychology from Algonquin College, and a Master of Education in Educational Counselling (now Counselling Psychology) from the University of Ottawa.

Mentorship is close to my heart. I offer clinical supervision and love helping newer clinicians shape their own integrative approaches, build confidence in their clinical identity, and move through imposter syndrome with compassion and clarity.

Throughout my career, I’ve had the honour of working by invitation with Indigenous communities. These experiences have been deeply formative, allowing me to receive traditional teachings that continue to enrich my therapeutic work. This connection also resonates personally—my Acadian heritage includes a history of relationship with the Mi’kmaq people of Nova Scotia, and I hold that lineage with care.

I believe in showing up as a whole person. That means embracing a holistic view of well-being. I’m also a practicing Yoga Instructor, and I see yoga as a powerful way to support mental health and reconnect with the body. On quieter days, you’ll find me grounded in my embroidery practice—stitching stories, one thread at a time. I prioritize reconnecting with nature either on my own or with my family, so you will easily find me taking time to paddle my canoe, kayak, or SUP, or find me gliding along winter’s rolling hills with my cross country skis.

Community matters to me. I try to stay engaged with friends and neighbours, socially and politically, and I believe in the power of collective care. I invite you to find your own space for connection—whether that’s with us at ICC or through whatever local community feels right for you.

Every step toward engagement is a step toward empowerment. Let’s walk it together.

Judy Letendre, MEd (Counselling), BSc (Kinesiology), CCC, is Nêhiyaw (Cree) Metis working as a counselling therapist in southern British Columbia. She lives as a guest on lands of the Syilx. Secwepemc, and Sinixt, and arrives as grandmother, auntie, sister, wife, friend, and hugger of Mihko, the dog. With the voice of the ponderosa pines and the rhythm of the earth, she joins her voice to the sound of our collective healing story.

Elaine Berwald
Waawaasaa Waawaataa Waayabee Kwe
“She Sees the Northern Lights Woman”
Cultural Advisor/Liaison, Knowledge Keeper, Grandmother

Elaine is an Indigenous Cultural Advisor/Liaison and a Grandmother. Her work as an educator and facilitator in Indigenous post secondary education provides student support and faculty education through an Indigenous Circle process. She also works in Indigenous child welfare, anti-human trafficking, healthcare, and community support. Elaine is a strong facilitator and storyteller with a passion for bringing an Indigenous lens to non-indigenous peoples, organizations, institutions, and communities. She serves on the Elder and Knowledge Keepers Circe for the Indigenous Circle Chapter of the Canadian Counsellors and Psychotherapist Association.

Elaine Berwald is of Mi’kmaq and Metis heritage. Her maternal ancestral territory is Northern New Brunswick and her paternal ancestral territory is Selkirk, Red River Manitoba. She follows the teachings and practices of the guiding principles of Etawuptamunk “Two Eyed Seeing” which is an Indigenous framework by Elder Albert Marshall of Eskasoni First Nation Unama’ki (Cape Breton) Nova Scotia.

Membership in the Indigenous Circle Chapter has been part of my connection to CCPA since joining as a Canadian Certified Counsellor over a dozen years ago.  I was drawn initially for both personal and professional reasons.

Personally, my children raised initially in Quebec but for the most part on Prince Edward Island, are members of the Nisga’a Nation of British Columbia. They met their Nisga’a grandmother on a few occasions and over time realized how her life was impacted by colonialist practices including residential schooling. During their formative years I sought to provide them with an awareness and appreciation of their Indigenous culture and community which they now cherish and pass on to my four grandchildren. Now young adults, they are working in the areas of justice, education and science which value Indigenous knowledge and recognition.

Professionally, during more than two decades of work as an educator, administrator, and school counsellor on PEI, I developed relationships with Indigenous students, their families and communities and valued the cultural insights and sensitivity I acquired through my work. The thesis I completed for my M Ed in Leadership and Learning with a Specialization in Counselling is titled, They Think They Know Me but They Really Don’t Know Me: Beginning to Explore the Schooling Experiences of Intermediate Mi’kmaq Students at a Provincial Intermediate School. My early CCPA Chapter involvements were with the School Counsellors Chapter and the Aboriginal Circle Chapter during the process to change the name to ICC, to adopt a logo and build a broader inclusive membership base.

Since my retirement from a career in education, I have maintained my CCC, served as Provincial Director for PEI on the CCPA National Board, served two years as ICC Treasurer and the initial committee work on recognizing Indigenous based educational activities for continuing education credit, and pursued life-long learning through occasional part-time work and volunteering. Over the past 6 years that my husband and I have made our home in Ottawa, I have contributed to the leadership of organizations in Ottawa that assist with refugee sponsorship and settlement and provide community meals and food bank services. As a lover of the natural environment, I am fortunate to live in an area that offers enriching opportunities to savour the outdoors through Nordic pole walking, cross country skiing, biking, and hiking. In late 2020, I felt the nudge to re-offer my perspectives, gifts, and skills to the ICC. I was warmly welcomed mid pandemic to a role as member-at-large role pending affirmation at the ICC 2021 AGM. I have much to learn from the full membership and I am open, enthused and grateful.

I am Green Turtle Woman, a Red River Métis from the historic Métis homeland in southern Manitoba. I currently live in Unama’ki (Cape Breton). I am a psychotherapist, writer, and musician who has worked in the Mi’kmaq community for twenty years. I am the Indigenous therapist at the Kiknu Centre (St. Francis Xavier University), and I have a private practice working with Mi’kmaw and Wolastoqiyik individuals throughout Mi’kmaki. I have been the facilitator and therapist for the We’koqma’q Residential School survivors for the past twenty years. I am a founding member of the Indigenous Circle of the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association in 2004, and I continue to support the Circle as part of the Elders and Knowledge Keepers Council. I bring a connection with All Our Relations, Elders, and Knowledge Keepers who have supported and guided me, professionally and personally, to my healing work and life. My newest book is Finding Otipemisiwak: The People Who Own Themselves.