Mental Health Team Bios

Richelle (she/her) is an Anishinaabe Kwe from Chippewas of Rama First Nation. After spending much of her early life as a performance artist and teacher, the birth of her daughter inspired a shift toward supporting youth mental health. Richelle holds a double diploma in Social Service Work and Indigenous Knowledge: First Peoples with a distinction in Leadership from Centennial College and a Bachelor of Social Work with a minor in Psychology and a certificate in Indigenous Knowledge and Experience from Toronto Metropolitan University. She is currently pursuing her MSW in Indigenous Trauma and Resiliency at the University of Toronto.

Richelle has extensive experience as an Indigenous crisis responder for youth across Turtle Island and has mentored many young individuals seeking support. She also teaches Indigenous-based content in elementary schools in Toronto and conducts virtual guest lectures at post-secondary institutions. Richelle has gained various certifications and knowledge in areas such as Grief Counselling, Crisis Intervention, Trauma-informed Practices, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, Youth Mental Health and Development, and Arts-based and Animal therapies. Currently, she is working towards coaching and counselling certifications for youth with neurodiversity, including ADHD and ASD.

As an Indigenous Mental Health Counsellor, Richelle's practice is grounded in a trauma-informed, social justice-oriented, and person-centred approach, integrating both Indigenous and Western frameworks. Her deep commitment to creating safe, trusting environments for her clients ensures they feel secure and comfortable. Richelle emphasizes collaboration, mutuality, and empowerment to ensure her clients feel respected, heard, and supported in their journey toward well-being.

Richelle Offers: Virtual Mental Health Counselling in Ontario and In-Person Mental Health Counselling in Toronto

River Valade (he/they) is a Red River Métis, Black, and Ukrainian Two-Spirit & Trans-Masculine person raised in southern Ontario. He is a Mental Health Counselor (MSW, RSW) and Helper with six years of experience working with urban Indigenous families and youth. He is passionate about walking alongside Indigenous youth on their healing journeys and helping them to embrace their truths and gifts.  

River is a graduate of the Master of Social Work - Indigenous Field of Study Program at Wilfrid Laurier University ('23); a MSW program specialized in Indigenous social work practice & research. They also hold a Bachelors of Social Work from McMaster University ('20).   

River's therapeutic practice is rooted in the concept of Two-eyed seeing; this involves braiding Indigenous knowledge and approaches to help with aspects of Western therapy methods. In his practice, River braids Indigenous healing methods and Indigenous approaches to helping, Narrative Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Internal Family Systems therapy techniques.  

In addition to his role as a Mental Health Counsellor, River is also a Research Assistant at Finding Our Power Together. As a researcher, River blends his experience as a community organizer, social worker and therapist with his knowledge of Indigenous research methodologies & pedagogies. He believes that to create meaningful change, researchers & policymakers need to center and prioritize the lived experiences of marginalized communities.

River Offers: Virtual Mental Health Counselling in Ontario and In-Person Mental Health Counselling in Toronto

Jasmine holds a Master of Social Work degree from Toronto Metropolitan University and is a registered social worker specializing in mental health counselling for Indigenous youth. Her journey in this field is deeply rooted in her family's legacy of educators and mental health professionals.

Her valuable experience as an Aboriginal education worker in British Columbia's school district has significantly shaped her approach to mental health support. In this role, she provided educational assistance and social support to Indigenous youth, laying a solid foundation for her current counselling work.

Jasmine's expertise is further enhanced by her Master's research, which focused on Indigenous ways of knowing and traditional healing practices within counselling. This research highlights her belief in the importance of integrating cultural understanding into the wellness journeys of Indigenous participants.

At Finding Our Power Together, Jasmine is a key member of the mentorship team. Her passion for supporting youth and commitment to broadening her mental health knowledge make a significant impact. Her dedication to her role and enthusiasm for continuous learning are invaluable to our team and the communities we support.

Jasmine Offers: Virtual Mental Health Counselling in Ontario, British Columbia and Manitoba

Minoway Sinclair is a mixed Anishinaabe (Saulteaux/Cree) community facilitator, anti-colonial/decolonial consultant and educator. Minoway is Rainbow Trout Fish Clan, raised in Tkaronto on the shores of Niigaanii Gichigami. Their father is from St Peters Indian Settlement, formerly Peguis’ settlement in Treaty 1 territory, Manitoba, and their mother is a first-generation Settler and intergenerational Jewish holocaust survivor. 

Minoway holds a Bachelor's degree in Social Work (Toronto Metropolitan University) and a Master’s in Indigenous Governance (University of Victoria). Currently working towards a PhD in Social Work at the University of Victoria, Minoway is also the founder and facilitator of Liberty Moves Wellness, offering culture-based strength and wellness programming to Indigenous 2SLGBTQ and womxn-identified folks in-person and online, across Turtle Island. The focus in both their Master’s and Doctoral work centers on Indigenous conceptions of care, strength, and resurgence.

Minoway’s approach to working with young people flows from the belief that balance among all levels of our being is key to nurturing wellness in our lives and to manifesting our hopes and dreams into our reality. Minoway engages both Indigenous and mainstream understandings of health and wellbeing. Their approaches are trauma-informed and based in strengths, desires, and Anishinaabe culture and worldview.

Minoway specializes in supporting young people navigate areas such as identity, communication, neurodiversity, mental health and addictions and systemic barriers, as well as in developing strategies for connecting with and manifesting healthy goals.

Brieanne John (Kaliwahloluks) (she/her) is a member of the bear clan from the Oneida Nation of the Thames born and raised in Windsor, ON. On her maternal side, she is of Irish, Scottish, and Acadian-French descent. She has both lived experience and professional experience in navigating systems for Indigenous youth and families, including child welfare and education.  

Brieanne holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology & Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Windsor, and is also a registered social worker. Her career has always been centered on empowering Indigenous youth and families, and has included promoting wellness and cultural well-being within the education system as well as service navigation in autism supports for Indigenous families.

As an Indigenous Mental Health Counsellor grounded in anti-oppressive, strengths-based, and youth-centered approaches, Brieanne is committed to creating inclusive and supportive therapeutic environments that honor the unique experiences of each person she works with.  Brieanne believes that every person carries gifts, unique strengths, and resilience. By focusing on these gifts, we can collaboratively explore challenges and create meaningful pathways toward healing and growth together. 

Conflict of interest statement: Due to her current employment, Brieanne cannot work with youth who are accessing services through Autism Ontario and/or AccessOAP. 

I’m Cassandra Knegt, Registered Social Worker (BSW, MSW, RSW), a cis-gendered female, pronouns she/her, and an ADHD-identified therapist working with youth (12+) and adults. I am Indigenous, Mi'kmaq, Bear Clan, Potlotek First Nation, and of settler Canadian ancestry. 

Throughout my career, I’ve focused on supporting Indigenous peoples, First Nations communities, the LGBTQ+ community, and neurodivergent individuals. I’m committed to creating a safe and inclusive space for LGBTQ+, neurodivergent, and Indigenous clients

to explore their identities, heal from trauma, and address challenges such as systemic discrimination, emotional regulation, and gender/sexuality exploration. 

With lived experience of ADHD, I understand its impact on daily life, relationships, and self-esteem, and my goal is to help you embrace your strengths, build self-compassion, and create strategies that work for you. I integrate a wholistic approach that

honors Indigenous culture, addresses intergenerational trauma, and supports cultural identity reconnection.

I hold a Master of Social Work degree from Wilfrid Laurier University, specializing in Indigenous field of

study. I’m trained in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT),

and other trauma-informed approaches. As an EMDRIA approved EMDR therapist with consultant supervision, I practice from a trauma-informed perspective to support healing in a compassionate, client- centered way.

If you’re seeking a space to heal, grow, and reconnect with yourself, I’m here to walk alongside you on that journey. Help is here whenever you’re ready.

Jess DeWit (she/her) is Metis from the Mattawa/Ottawa River Historic Metis Community on her maternal side, and Dutch on her paternal side. She is an Indigenous Mental Health & Wellness Clinician and Counsellor with over 10 years working with children and youth, and over 5 years specifically in Indigenous child and family wellbeing. 

Jess holds a Bachelor of Social Work specializing in Indigenous child welfare, as well as a Master of Social Work from York University. Jess has lived experience accessing mental health services as an Indigenous person and has become a strong advocate for Indigenous youth experiencing anxiety and depression.  Jess believes in the strength of Indigenous healing practices, drawing on storytelling to foster hope and resilience, the Medicine Wheel to promote balance, and the Seven Grandfather Teachings as a foundation for living well. She blends these approaches with Western therapies like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness, Narrative Therapy, and Art Therapy, weaving them together in a way that honours both worlds.  

Jess is passionate about seeing youth thrive, not just survive. Her goal is to help them discover their strengths, find their voices, and feel a deep sense of belonging to themselves, their communities, and their cultures. Jess believes that healing is about connection and she is honoured to walk alongside youth as they take each step toward their full potential.