Roger John

Kalhwa7alap/hello to all of you, my name is Roger John and I am Tsalalhmec (People of the Lakes) of the St’at’imc Nation from the interior of British Columbia. I have been a visitor on Coast Salish Territory (Lekwungen & Musqueam) for twenty-seven years. I am a half-time Counsellor for Indigenous students at UVic Counselling Services. This role is my pre-doctoral internship with UBC School of Counselling Psychology. Currently, I am available to see Indigenous students on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. My internship will be over a two year period so I will be here until Spring 2018.

I hold a Master’s degree in Counselling Psychology from UVic and I am a PhD Candidate in Counselling Psychology at UBC.

I utilize Indigenous principles and practices of healing as the foundation for my therapeutic approach and I utilize relevant and respectful mainstream therapeutic techniques. My therapeutic orientation and methods include prayer, drumming, smudge, person-centered therapy, narrative therapy, Cognitive Behaviourial Therapy and Somatic Transformation. I am well aware of the impacts of colonization on the lives of Indigenous peoples and I believe that Indigenous peoples do not need to be held hostage by the traumas inflicted by colonization. We all experience times when we can feel overwhelmed and asking for help is one of the greatest strengths and abilities a person can possess.

Kukwstumkalap/thanks to all