New at Disha: Indigenous Counselling and Immigrant and Newcomer Counselling

Disha Counselling & Wellness Centre has launched two dedicated services: Indigenous Counselling and Immigrant and Newcomer Counselling. Both build on work we already do with clients across Edmonton and Alberta, and both are available in person at our South Edmonton office or online anywhere in the province. Eligible First Nations and Inuit clients can access counselling at no cost through NIHB, and eligible refugees and refugee claimants through IFHP. We bill both programs directly.

Why we created these services

Many of the people who contact us are navigating more than one challenge at once: grief, trauma or anxiety alongside family changes, cultural expectations or the stress of building a life in a new place. Clients have told us it matters to find a counsellor who understands that context without needing everything explained. These two services make it easier to find that kind of support and to know how coverage works.

Indigenous Counselling

Our Indigenous counselling service offers trauma-informed, culturally respectful support for individuals, couples and families. Common reasons people reach out include trauma, grief, substance use, family stress, anxiety and low mood. We recognize the impact of colonization and intergenerational trauma, follow your lead on what healing means to you and welcome the cultural practices and supports that matter in your life.

Eligible registered First Nations and recognized Inuit clients can receive counselling through the Non-Insured Health Benefits program at no cost. Learn more in our guide to NIHB mental health counselling in Alberta.

Immigrant and Newcomer Counselling

Our immigrant and newcomer counselling service supports people adjusting to life in Canada, including settlement stress, loneliness, changes in family roles, grief from far away, discrimination and past trauma. Sessions are available in English, Hindi, Nepali, Punjabi and Urdu, and counselling is confidential. We do not share information with immigration authorities or employers without your consent.

Eligible refugees and refugee claimants with active Interim Federal Health Program coverage can access counselling at no cost. See free counselling through NIHB and IFHP for eligibility details.

Related reading

• Intergenerational trauma: what it is and how families heal
• Understanding loneliness without blaming yourself
• Mental health stigma in South Asian families
• Grieving a loved one back home

Frequently asked questions

Who can use the new Indigenous counselling service?

First Nations, Inuit and Métis individuals, couples and families. Eligible registered First Nations and recognized Inuit clients can access it at no cost through NIHB.

Who can use the immigrant and newcomer counselling service?

Immigrants, permanent residents, international students, temporary workers, refugees and their families. Eligible refugees and refugee claimants with IFHP coverage can access it at no cost.

Are these services available online?

Yes. Both are available in person at our South Edmonton office or by secure video anywhere in Alberta.

What languages are available?

Counselling is available in English, Hindi, Nepali, Punjabi and Urdu.

Reviewed by Mukesh Mishra, MSW, RCSW, Registered Clinical Social Worker and ACSW-approved RCSW supervisor at Disha Counselling & Wellness Centre. Last updated October 1, 2026. This article is general information and is not a substitute for individual professional advice.