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
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