UBC Counselling Services acknowledges with deep respect that the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm land we work on at UBC is the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the Musqueam people. We also recognize with gratitude the knowledge systems, ceremonies, and healing traditions of the Musqueam Nation, and other Indigenous people, the First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities.
Counselling services is committed to a process of Indigenizing and decolonizing mental health services at UBC. Our work in the Indigenous Mental Health and Wellbeing (IMHW) program strives to be respectful of wisdom traditions practiced across our nations and within the individual experiences of Indigenous UBC students.
We offer many support options to Indigenous UBC students with a focus on helping to identify wellbeing goals encouraging their academic success.
Students who self-declare as Indigenous, meaning First Nations (Status/Non-Status), Métis, Inuit, and other Indigenous relations from around the world, are welcome to participate in program services.
Indigenous self-identification is voluntary, confidential, and used only to provide you with the relevant services that meet your needs.
If you are a UBC staff member requiring a referral form, please email indigenouscounselling.support@ubc.ca, or call UBC Counselling Services at 604.822.3811 and ask to speak with an Indigenous Mental Health and Wellbeing program staff member.
We ground our work within the Mi’kmaq principles of Etuaptmumk or “Two-Eyed Seeing” as shared by Elder Albert Marshall. This means that we respectfully support both the use of traditional holistic practices, or Indigenous science and knowledge, as well as conventional therapeutic Western counselling techniques.
We are committed to offering culturally safe mental health and support services basing our work on foundational healing values which include cultural humility, a person-centered approach, trauma-informed healing work, and continued dedication to improving our services with a lens of self-reflection.
Our work is also informed by the following:
Renée Avitan, MSW, RCSW (she/her/hers)
Welcome to the IMHW team and program. I am Renée Avitan and I am Shúhtaǫt’ine, Tulit’a Dene Band, and mixed settler heritage. I am very grateful to have been an uninvited visitor on xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) territory at UBC for many years. In my work, I value Indigenous based practices and wisdom traditions that are person-centered and holistic. I look forward to talking with you and continuing to help improve mental health and support services for Indigenous students at UBC.
Kim Bayer, MA, MEd, RCC, Métis (she/her/hers)
Hello, Taanshi!
As a lifelong learner, I offer the gifts, teachings, professional training, and wisdom I have gathered to Indigenous students. Together we can draw from holistic Indigenous ways, being, and knowing, as well as Western therapeutic tools to create a wellness plan that meets your current needs.
Looking forward to sharing the counselling space with you.
Hali McLennan, MSW, RSW (she/her/hers)
I am a member of the Métis Nation of British Columbia. I was born in the Yukon but as a child moved to the unceded territories of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh. I completed both of my Social Work degrees at UBC’s School of Social Work and I am grateful to have the chance to support current UBC students through the challenges they may face while at the university.
Please call 604.822.3811 and request to speak to an IMHW program staff member.
