Indigenous Wisdoms in Practice Part II: Advanced Tools for Wellness
Due to popular demand, this workshop expands on the original Indigenous Wisdoms in Practice: Land-Based Tools for Wellness workshop, going deeper into the technical aspects of integrating iyiniwak (Indigenous) wisdoms into therapeutic practice. Having already been introduced to important considerations for practice in the first workshop, this workshop goes more deeply into direct applications. Participants will learn about the concept of therapy as ceremony, including how to create a sacred and safe space for counselling. Dr. Fellner expands on the concept of working with “all our relations” in therapy, including what it looks like to support manitowak (clients) in accessing the wisdoms and medicines coming through so-called “symptoms.” Participants will be introduced to the processes of tracking and transformation through somatic techniques that are interconnected through generations and relations of the natural world and cosmos. The workshop will conclude with some basic understandings of working with spirit in therapy, and how to support manitowak in connecting with the wisdoms coming through their dreams.
Learning Objectives
Following the workshop, participants should be able to:
- Understand the implications of therapy as ceremony & how to create a sacred and safe space;
- Implement basic land-based tools that support (re)connecting with, (re)opening to, and (re)engaging one’s personal and collective wisdom and medicine for healing;
- Understand the basic application of somatic techniques through an “all our relations” perspective
- Understand basic ways of working with spirit and dreams in practice.
Dr. Karlee Fellner
Dr. Karlee Fellner is a member of the Otipemisiwak Métis Nation of Alberta, a Registered Psychologist (Alberta), and CEO and Founder of ᒪᐢᑭᐦᑭᕀ maskihkiy wellness. Dr. Fellner worked for over 10 years as a Professor of Counselling Psychology-Indigenous Education at the University of Calgary before resigning her tenured position to focus on community-based clinical work. Dr. Fellner is a prominent clinical scholar activist who has been working in the fields of iyiniwak (Indigenous) healing, wellness, and psychologies for over 14 years. Her program of research focused on Indigenous approaches to therapy and trauma work; Indigenous research, curriculum and pedagogy; culturally appropriate counselling; complex trauma; and holistic and traditional approaches to wellness. She has been working with people in clinical practice for over 17 years, and has been designing and implementing land-based, culturally-rooted programming in mental health and addictions for over 9 years. Dr. Fellner has a Ph.D. in Counselling Psychology from the University of British Columbia, and completed her internship in Clinical Psychology at the Indian Health Board of Minneapolis. In addition to her work in mental health and addictions, Dr. Fellner is a visual artist, mother, and traditional jingle dancer. She is also the host of the Soul Medicine: Ancient Psychologies for Wellness podcast.
Recommended Key Resources
Canadian Psychological Association & The Psychology Foundation of Canada. (2018). Psychology’s response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Report. Toronto, ON: Author. Available at: https://cpa.ca/docs/File/Task_Forces/TRC%20Task%20Force%20Report_FINAL.pdf
Duran, E. (2019). Healing the soul wound: Trauma-informed counseling for Indigenous communities (2nd ed.). Teachers College Press: New York.
Fellner, K. D. (Host). (2025). Soul medicine: Ancient psychologies for wellness [Video podcast]. Apple Podcasts. https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/soul-medicine-ancient-psychologies-for-wellness/id1801808897
Fellner, K. D. (2019a). Iskotew & crow: Reigniting narratives of Indigenous survivance & trauma wisdom in the classroom. In S. Carr-Stewart & J. Ottmann (Eds.), Knowing the Past, Facing the Future: Indigenous education in Canada (pp. 143-170). Vancouver, BC: UBC Press.
Fellner, K. D. (2019b). Therapy as ceremony: Decolonizing & Indigenizing our practice. In N. Arthur (Ed.). Counseling in Cultural Contexts – Identity and Social Justice (pp. 181-201). New York: Springer.
Turcotte, S., & Schiffer, J. J. (2014). Aboriginal Focusing-Oriented Therapy. In G. Madison (Ed.), Emerging practice in focusing-oriented psychotherapy: Innovative theory and applications (pp. 48-63). Philadelphia, PA: Jessica Kingsley.
Indigenous Focusing Oriented Therapy YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@indigenousfocusingoriented4099
Members Only Discounts
Are you a member with the PAA? Did you know that members get discounts on workshops? Ensure that you are signed in when purchasing a ticket to receive your discount.
Full Members, Early Career Psychologists, Professional Affiliate Members, Out of Province Psychologist Members, Non-Practicing Members and Lifetime Members receive 20% off.
Provisional Members and Psychological Assistant Members receive 30% off.
Student Members receive 40% off.
Registrations
Registrations for in-person workshops are open until 3 business days prior to the workshop to ensure accurate numbers for catering and event space. Should you wish to register for this workshop within 1-3 business days prior to the workshop, requests must be made in writing to the Continuing Professional Development Officer at cpd@paa-ab.ca. Requests will not be processed if they are received after 12pm on the last business day prior to the workshop.
Continuing Education Credits
The Psychologists’ Association of Alberta (PAA) is approved by the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) to offer Continuing Education (CE) for psychologists. This workshop is offered for six (6) hours of CE Credit. Full attendance at the workshop is required to receive Continuing Education Credits. Partial credit will not be awarded, and late arrivals or early departure will preclude awarding of Continuing Education Credits. PAA maintains responsibility for the program.
Cancellation and Refunds
Cancellation and refunds may be applied for by email or phone call to the PAA Continuing Professional Development Officer. Cancellations received fourteen (14) days prior to the Continuing Professional Development activity will receive a full refund of the registration fee, less a $35.00 + GST processing fee. Cancellations received thirteen (13) days or less prior to the Continuing Professional Development activity will be exempt from receiving a refund. Partial refunds will not be awarded. PAA reserves the right to cancel any activity, in which case a full refund of the registration fee will be provided.
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