Vacant

Meet Charity Fleming

Aanii boozhoo indinawe maaganidog [hello to all my relations].

Anishinaabe kwe indow [I am a life carrier, a woman, of the original peoples – Anishinaabe / Ojibwe].

Anangkwe or Charity ndizhinikaaz [my indigenous spirit name is Anangkwe / Star Woman, my English name is Charity Fleming].

Name ndoodem [my clan is Sturgeon Clan].

Wabauskang First Nation / Sault Ste Marie Ontario / the three great lakes ndoonjibaa besho [I come from around].

Guelph / Belwood Lake ndaa besho [I now live by].

I also identify as having Scottish and Romanian settler origins and following Christian as well as Anishinaabe spiritual practices.

My teachers have included elders, knowledge keepers, professors, family members, and lesson gifters from all of creation. I have a Master of Social work degree and am a Registered Social Worker in Ontario, as well as the 2023 recipient of the Ontario Association of Social Workers Inspirational Leader award.

I have specialized my career within three focus areas: indigenous adapted mental health approaches, treating PTSD, and treating child and adolescent mental health. For my entire career I have prided myself in always working directly within First Nations communities – including 25 different First Nations across Ontario.

I am the CEO and President of a group of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy clinics across Southern Ontario called Qualia Counselling Services. I have been gifted with a wonderful co-owner and non-indigenous ally named Thomas Brown. Together we have built a series of eight clinics that serve indigenous and non-indigenous peoples and has about 100 staff members. We have won awards for our individual, couples and family counselling and teaching and training.

I am also the teaching director of our CBT program offered through Wilfrid Laurier University, Faculty of Social Work. We offer a variety of CBT courses including advanced CBT for Trauma, CBT for Women’s Reproductive Mental Health, and Mikwendaagwad “It is Remembered” Sacred Circle CBT. I am also faculty with Ontario Association of Social Workers and McMaster Michael De Groote School of Medicine.

I look forward to connecting with, hearing, and responding to the needs of our indigenous CCPA members as well as non-indigenous allies. I am honoured to be the  lead of Indigenous Relations  and hope to honour the work done before me while building upon it to move forward the interests of indigenous peoples and community in this role.

Meet Danika Charlebois

Aanii, Boozhoo, Bonjour, Hello!

I am pleased to join the Canadian Psychotherapy and Counselling Psychotherapy as the Indigenous Advocacy Lead. I use the pronouns she/they and am of mixed Algonquin and settler ancestry, born, raised, and currently living in Northeastern Ontario, in Robinson Huron Treaty Territory. Holding an undergraduate degree in psychology with a minor in Indigenous studies, and an MA in counselling psychology, I am a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying). My career over the past four years has centered around advocacy, particularly focusing on enhancing mental wellness among Indigenous youth.

My passion extends to ensuring that mental health services are equitable, accessible, and culturally safe for all Indigenous peoples. I am committed to the decolonization of our mental health care systems and addressing the systemic racism embedded within them. I recognize that traditional psychotherapy and counselling practices are often rooted in colonial perspectives, which can overlook the diverse needs and historical contexts of the communities we serve.

I look forward to doing this very important work, honouring the work of those before me and building upon their efforts. Through my role, I aim to uplift initiatives that honour and integrate Indigenous perspectives and healing practices into our frameworks, promoting a more inclusive and understanding approach to mental health and well-being.

Learn more about the Indigenous Circle Chapter on their page.