Over the past 25 years, Laurelle has been working within First Nation Communities ranging from Treaty 7 to Treaty 8 territories providing counselling services. For the past nine years, she has been working with the TsuuT’ina Nation providing services to community members ages 16 and up. Laurelle specializes in Psychodynamic approaches of therapy to help clients understand the root causes of current mental health struggles such as Anxiety or Depression. She uses 2 different approaches to work with historical or recent trauma, those are EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) and SE Somatic Experiencing which is body focussed. In addition, she has International Addiction Training which she can assist with Substance and Behavioural Addictions for both those struggling and supporting family members. Laurelle says, “I absolutely love my work supporting my clients on their healing journey. I am happy to provide a phone consultation to new clients to answer any questions and explain my services”.

Angela Grier M. Ed Counselling Psychology (Piikani/ Blackfoot) is a Registered Provisional Psychologist. Grier has over 25 years of working and supporting First Nation individuals/ communities through direct and systemic approaches. Over the past two years, Angela was the first Indigenous staff member at the national office for the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association in Ottawa. This experience created the opportunity to bring national attention to Treaty Seven mental health issues, especially around the opioid and drug crisis during her time as a Federal Lobbyist. Her work within post-secondary institutions, Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT), the University of Lethbridge (U of L) and as a member of the guest faculty for 15 years at the Banff Centre, in addition has given Grier the opportunities to participate in meaningful research and education streams that directly impact Indigenous communities here in Treaty Seven. Angela says, However nothing has been more important than my work directly with children and youth, including my own four children and granddaughter. My work with the Office of the Child and Youth Advocate (OCYA) included education and advocacy surrounding children’s rights and bringing attention to the overrepresentation of First Nation and Indigenous children in care. My late mother Sandra Grier, was an avid advocate for First Nation children and communities, and she provided much influence for this journey. I have also enjoyed many years of service in my home community of Piikani, including working within suicide intervention and prevention, counselling, youth advocacy and as an elected member of the Piikani Nation Chief and Council. I am very excited to continue supporting First Nation mental health directly through this important and honorable work with the Tsuutina Nation.

Christopher Schoepp is a Registered Psychologist with a more than 10 years’ experience working with clients in Morley, Big Horn, Eden Valley and Tsuu T’ina. His experience living abroad and travelling extensively as well as his experience working with various First Nation communities in Alberta has led to an awareness and respect for cultural diversity that permeates his professional practice. Chris has worked in a variety of settings including behavioural treatment centers, community health centers, schools and private businesses. He managed community-based teams designed to build resilience in children, youth and families in three Alberta communities. Chris provides service to children, adolescents, couples and adults with concerns such as anxiety, depression, emotional regulation, aggression, transitions, trauma and family conflict. He has also worked extensively with children and families involved with the Child Protection system. Chris believes that the client/therapist relationship is the foundation of therapeutic success and that the approach taken must work for the client. Chris has experience in a number of therapeutic approaches including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Narrative Therapy. In addition to providing counselling services, Chris is able to provide educational psychology services, including universal and targeted school programming, staff training, behaviour observations and psychoeducational assessments, as well as adult assessments.