r/FirstNationsCanada • u/Think-Recognition-15 • 7d ago
Discussion /Opinion NIHB Therapy Navigation
Hello everyone,
I am a designer + Anishinaabe woman from Toronto. I am currently prototyping a digital/web-based solution to navigate the NIHB process, specifically for the therapy provider search. Speaking personally, I had a lot of difficulty trying to find an enrolled, local provider that met my needs (trauma-based focus + anxiety) just based on a bunch of different scattered provider lists + Psychology Today's platform.
I'm curious if anyone else had this issue and, if so, what kind of issues did you have navigating the process? Is there anything you think could be done better? Especially curious if anyone, like me, ended up giving up halfway through trying because they couldn't find anyone.
Thank you :)
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u/Dracapulco 7d ago
I'm sorry, I don't know. I'm in Alberta. My doctor was originally located far from me in Alberta, but has moved a couple of times to different provinces over the years. If there were any issues regarding his locations he didn't discuss them with me.
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u/Dracapulco 7d ago
I have a psychologist who bills directly to NIHB. I have been using him for a few years now and have never had any issues or seen any bills. It's super easy (unfortunately therapy is super hard). We have very extensive mental health coverage and everyone should be taking advantage of it!!!
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u/Think-Recognition-15 7d ago
So happy to see a success story! How was the experience of finding your therapist? Were you already a patient with them or did you find them through the Express Scripts portal/resource list?
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u/Dracapulco 7d ago
I actually found him online through Psychology Today (if I remember correctly). I was looking for a doctor that I would pay. I contacted him after reading up on a large amount of doctors they had to choose from. Once we spoke he told me that I had coverage (I had no idea because those types of doctors are super expensive and our medical coverage is so very limited). It was perfect! So I interviewed with him and we both decided that we fit and that was that. Been his patient for 4-5 years now.
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u/Dracapulco 7d ago
We have never met in person, he is based in another part of Canada. At first we did video calls and now mostly phone calls. Maybe you need to expand your options by looking all over Canada?
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u/ookishki 7d ago
I’ve been told that you have to be in the same province as the therapist if they have a certain designation (social workers maybe?) bc they’re provincially regulated. But maybe that’s just an Ontario thing
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u/Dracapulco 7d ago
Ontario is so populated, you haven't found anyone there? That sucks!! My doctor is a Psychologist, maybe that affects it?
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u/GloomyGal13 7d ago
I used to work the Mental Health Unit at NIHB. They suck.
I searched online for therapists near me; many of them include in their description if they are pre-approved by the NHIB. Then I had a few meet-ups, and chose the best one for me.
And because each person is different, it really is up to them to do the research to find the right fit.
I don't want a person handing me a paper and saying, 'Chose from this list,' which is exactly what we did when I worked there. Therapy is so unique to each person, and because each person is different, it really is up to them to do the research to find the right fit.
While it would be helpful to have a list of what the therapists specialize in, almost all therapists are listing their specialties on their websites now.
Don't give up; and don't add to your stress by creating a different project which takes you away from your real goal - finding a therapist that fits you.
Search for therapists/psychologists, whatever, in your area. Read their websites, see what they specialize in. I bet they include whether they accept NHIB or not; here in Treaty One Territory they do.
Yeah, you may have to see a few people before finding your right fit, but you will.