If you’ve been searching for therapy that honours your identity, culture, and lived experience—and you’re wondering how to pay for it—you’re not alone. Many First Nations and Inuit people across Ontario are eligible for mental health counselling at no cost through the Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) program. But figuring out what’s covered and how to access it can feel overwhelming.

This post will break it all down: what NIHB is, what it covers for therapy, and how you can access culturally grounded mental health care through Wiidookodaadiwin.

What Is NIHB?

NIHB stands for Non-Insured Health Benefits, a federal program that provides extended health coverage to eligible First Nations and Inuit clients across Canada. This includes services that aren’t covered by OHIP (or other provincial health plans), such as:

• Dental and vision care
• Prescription medications
• Mental health counselling

The goal? To reduce barriers to health and healing for Indigenous communities.

Who Is Eligible for NIHB Mental Health Benefits?

You are eligible for NIHB coverage if you:

• Are a registered First Nations individual with a status card, or
• Are an Inuk recognized by an Inuit land claim organization

If you’re not sure whether you’re eligible, you can check your NIHB status or ask your provider (that’s us!)  for help confirming it.

What Mental Health Services Does NIHB Cover?

NIHB provides up to 22 hours of therapy per year (with more available upon request). These sessions are typically covered without needing a doctor’s referral, and they include:

• Individual therapy
• Couples and family counselling
• Group therapy

Sessions can happen in person or virtually, depending on what works best for you.

At Wiidookodaadiwin, we are a registered provider with NIHB and offer direct billing to make things simple. That means you don’t pay out-of-pocket—we handle the paperwork so you can focus on your healing.

Why NIHB Matters for Indigenous Clients in Ontario

Accessing therapy through NIHB allows you to receive care that is:

• Culturally responsive and trauma-informed
• Provided by Indigenous and/or culturally grounded therapists
• Focused on reconnection, identity, community, and spirit 
• Offered in a way that respects your pace, needs, and voice

NIHB makes it possible to receive this care without financial stress, so you don’t have to choose between healing and affordability.

What to Know Before You Book

Here are a few steps to make sure your NIHB sessions go smoothly:

1. Ask if your therapist is NIHB-registered
   Not every therapist is enrolled. At Wiidookodaadiwin, many on our team are NIHB-approved and ready to work with you.
2. Bring your status card or identification number (N-number)
   This helps us verify your eligibility and make sure your benefits are processed.
3. Confirm session format
   You can choose virtual therapy from anywhere in Ontario or book in-person sessions at our Cambridge office.
4. You don’t need a referral
   Unless otherwise specified, NIHB clients can access therapy without a doctor’s note.
5. You don’t need to know your exact goals yet
   Therapy is a journey. It’s okay if you just know that you want to feel more grounded, supported, or understood.

Common Questions About NIHB Therapy

What if I need more than 22 sessions?
Additional sessions may be approved based on your therapist’s request. We help with that process so you don’t have to navigate it alone.

Can I use NIHB for couples or family therapy?
Yes—even if only one person is NIHB-eligible. You can bring your partner, parent, child, or family member with you.

Do I have to talk about everything in the first session?
No. We move at your pace. Many clients start with somatic or body-based approaches when words feel hard.

Can I see an Indigenous therapist?
Yes, our team includes Indigenous therapists and all staff are trained in cultural humility, relational healing, and trauma-informed care.

What if I’ve had a bad experience with therapy before?
That’s okay. We know that therapy hasn’t always felt safe or accessible. Our job is to create a space where your full self is welcome—and nothing is forced.

Therapy That Honours Your Story

Whether you’re holding intergenerational grief, seeking reconnection, navigating disconnection from community, or trying to find a sense of belonging in your body and spirit, therapy can help.

We believe healing happens in relationship—with self, land, culture, and others. NIHB makes it possible for that healing to be accessible, consistent, and rooted in care.

If you’re ready to explore therapy through NIHB in Ontario, we’d be honoured to walk beside you. You can find more information about how we support Indigenous people here: https://www.wiidookodaadiwin.com/indigenous-therapy-ontario/, or you can book directly with one of our therapists below.