Confirm Eligibility
You must be a registered First Nations individual (status card holder) or an Inuit recognized by ISC to qualify for NIHB mental health benefits. All ages are eligible.
What is FNIHB Coverage?
The First Nations and Inuit Health Branch (FNIHB) is a division of Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) responsible for managing and funding health programs for First Nations and Inuit populations. One of the key programs under FNIHB is the Mental Health Counselling benefit, which provides coverage for eligible adults, children and youth to access professional counselling services.
This benefit is available through the Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) program, and it is specifically designed to support the mental wellness of Indigenous peoples and families, children and adults, by covering the cost of therapy and counselling with registered providers. Services can include individual counselling, couples therapy, family therapy, trauma therapy, counselling for youth and children ages five and up, and more, depending on clinical focus and personal preference.
In Manitoba, therapists must be registered and approved by FNIHB to become FNIHB-providers and deliver these services. Our clinic is proud to be part of this program, offering evidence-based, clients-centered therapy to Indigenous individuals and communities across the province.
Mental Health Services Covered by FNIHB
FNIHB providers offer a range of mental health services that support emotional, psychological, and social well-being. All services are provided by licensed therapists who are also registered FNIHB providers and have experience working with Indigenous clients. Covered services may include:
Individual Therapy/Counselling: For those dealing with anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, addiction, life transitions, or other mental health challenges.
Couples Therapy/Counselling: A focus on supporting communication, conflict resolution, issues with intimacy, and addressing differences in parenting of children, to name a few.
Family Therapy/Counselling: Supporting families with grief and trauma healing, conflict resolution, and healthy relationships between parents and their children of all ages.
Trauma-Informed Therapy/Counselling: Focused care for individuals who have experienced intergenerational trauma, abuse, violence, or other complex life events.
Youth and Child Counselling: Specialized therapy for children and youth ages five and up, in need of developmentally appropriate support. Common concerns include anxiety, depression, ADHD, self-harming behaviour, and acting out. Our providers use a systemic focus to also support families.
Virtual Therapy (Telehealth): Secure, remote sessions for clients, adults and children, living in rural or remote areas, or who live in Winnipeg without access to transportation or who have a preference to meet online.
Each session is confidential and designed to be respectful of cultural values, traditions, and healing practices. We also work in collaboration with other community resources, when needed, to ensure holistic care.
How to Access Therapy Through FNIHB in Manitoba
Accessing therapy through FNIHB is a straightforward process, but it can help to understand each step. Here’s how to begin:
Contact Us
Complete our 2-minute Intake Form at https://westendtherapy.ca/contact/ and let us know that you have treaty status. Our intake staff will ensure you are connected with one of our FNIHB-registered providers to meet your needs, preferences and goals.
Complete Prior Approval Forms
Your therapist/FNIHB provider will provide you with a Prior Approval form to complete and sign. This allows us to bill services through FNIHB on your behalf. Typically, coverage includes up to 22 hours per calendar year, with additional hours available through a clinical request
Begin Your Sessions
Your therapist/FNIHB provider will work with you to create a personalized treatment plan and schedule regular sessions, either in person or virtually.
Supporting Indigenous Mental Health in Manitoba
Indigenous communities in Winnipeg and Manitoba have shown incredible resilience in the face of historical and ongoing trauma, systemic inequities, and intergenerational impacts of colonization. Yet the need for mental health support continues to grow.
As therapists, we are not only service providers—we are advocates, allies, and partners in the healing journey. We understand that therapy must go beyond the Western medical model to truly honour the values, culture, and traditions of First Nations and Inuit clients.
That’s why our approach emphasizes:
Community-based care: Supporting clients in both urban and remote communities.
Cultural sensitivity: Acknowledging and respecting traditional healing and supporting individuals in connecting with traditional practices when requested.
Trauma-informed care: Understanding the deep impacts of colonization, residential schools, and systemic racism on mental health.
Strengths-based focus: Empowering clients by recognizing their inherent strengths, resilience, and wisdom.
Whether you’re navigating grief, struggling with anxiety or depression, facing substance use issues, or seeking greater balance in life, we are here to walk alongside you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for FNIHB mental health coverage?
Individuals who are eligible include:
Registered First Nations people with a valid status card
Inuit recognized by Indigenous Services Canada
Adults, children and youth of all ages who hold treaty status
You do not need to live on a reserve or in a remote community to access these services. Urban-based clients are also fully eligible.
Is therapy completely free under FNIHB?
Yes, individual therapy sessions are fully covered for eligible clients under the FNIHB/NIHB program. There are no out-of-pocket costs for approved services. We handle all direct billing to FNIHB on your behalf.
For relationship therapy sessions where only one person has treaty status and the other does not, FNIHB will pay for half of the session cost. The other half of the cost is due at the end of the session. However, if both individuals have treaty status, FNIHB will cover the full cost of the relationship therapy session.
The program typically allows for up to 22 sessions per year, with the possibility of additional sessions when needed, based on a therapist’s clinical recommendation.
How do I know which therapist or FNIHB-provider to choose?
When you reach out to our intake team, we will ask you a few brief questions to help us understand your needs. Based on your preferences (e.g., gender of therapist, areas of expertise, cultural considerations), we will recommend one or more therapists for you to choose from.
You can also visit our team bios online athttps://westendtherapy.ca/therapists-covered-by-fnihb/to read about each therapist’s background, training, and therapeutic approach.
If at any time you feel like your current match isn’t the right fit, we’re here to help you find someone else—your comfort and trust are our top priorities.
Do you offer virtual therapy for FNIHB clients?
Absolutely. We offer secure, confidential virtual therapy sessions for FNIHB clients of all ages, anywhere in Manitoba. This is especially helpful for individuals living in rural or remote areas without access to in-person services.
Virtual sessions are conducted through an encrypted video platform that meets all health privacy standards. All you need is a phone, tablet, or computer with internet access.
