NIHB Counselling in Saskatoon, Halifax & Across Canada
Cost should not be the reason you go without support. If you are a registered First Nations or recognized Inuit client, the Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) program through Indigenous Services Canada may cover your mental health counselling.
Vive Wellness Therapy provides NIHB service delivery in Saskatoon, Halifax, and online across Canada, so you can access care that respects your culture, your history, and your pace.
What Is NIHB Mental Health Counselling?
NIHB is a federal program that covers a range of health benefits for eligible First Nations and Inuit clients when those services are not available through provincial health insurance, private insurance, or other publicly funded programs.
The mental health counselling benefit covers sessions with eligible registered providers, including registered psychotherapists, registered social workers, and registered psychologists.
Under current NIHB policy, eligible clients can access up to 22 hours of counselling per calendar year, with additional hours considered on a case-by-case basis. Program details can change, so we confirm current coverage with you before you begin.
Who May Be Eligible for NIHB Counselling
NIHB mental health counselling is generally available to:
Registered First Nations people: Individuals with status under the Indian Act.
Recognized Inuit: Individuals recognized by an Inuit land claim organization.
Infants: Children under 18 months of age whose parent is an eligible client.
If you are unsure whether you qualify, reach out. We can walk through it with you.
Not All of Our Therapists Are NIHB-Approved
Not every therapist on our team is approved to provide services under NIHB. To make sure your sessions are covered, we recommend contacting us directly rather than booking with a therapist on your own. We will match you with an NIHB-approved therapist who fits both your benefits and your therapeutic needs.
Contact us first
Call, text, or email and let us know you would like to use your NIHB benefits. This helps us connect you with the right person from the start.
Get matched
We pair you with an NIHB-approved therapist whose experience fits what you are looking for, whether that is anxiety, trauma, grief, relationships, or something else.
Use private coverage first
If you have personal or workplace insurance, NIHB requires that coverage to be used before it approves sessions. Let us know what benefits you have so we can plan together.
Begin your sessions
Meet with your therapist in person or online. Your therapist handles NIHB billing directly where possible, so you can focus on your care rather than paperwork.
What NIHB Counselling Can Help With
NIHB counselling supports a wide range of concerns, including anxiety, stress, and feeling overwhelmed, depression and low mood, trauma and intergenerational trauma, grief and loss, substance use concerns, relationship and family challenges, and life transitions.
Your therapist works with you to understand what you need and builds a plan that fits your goals, your values, and your daily life.
Why Choose Vive Wellness Therapy for NIHB Counselling?
At Vive Wellness Therapy, we approach every person with respect for their culture, history, and lived experience. We work collaboratively and at a pace that feels safe for you.
We offer sessions in person in Saskatoon and Halifax, and online sessions across Canada, so you can access support from wherever you are.
NIHB counselling is not an emergency service. If you are in crisis, call or text 9-8-8, call 911, or contact the Hope for Wellness Help Line at 1-855-242-3310, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for Indigenous peoples across Canada.
Ready to Use Your NIHB Benefits? Contact Us
Call or text (417) 971-9596, email info@vivewellnesstherapy.com, or complete the contact form on our website, and let us know you are looking for NIHB-covered counselling.
We will match you with an NIHB-approved therapist and walk with you, one step at a time.
Important: Use Your Private Insurance First
NIHB is a payer of last resort. If you have personal or workplace health insurance, such as Manulife, Green Shield, Sun Life, or a similar plan, NIHB requires that this coverage be used up before it will begin approving eligible sessions. Please use your private coverage first, and tell your therapist about all of the benefits you have. We can then use all of your benefits together, in line with NIHB rules, so you get the most from your coverage.
Disclaimer: The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes and reflects NIHB program details at the time of writing. Program policies may change, become outdated, or contain inaccuracies, so please confirm current coverage with NIHB or our team. Vive Wellness Therapy resources are intended to be used in conjunction with therapy and are not a substitute for professional mental health care.