Pathways to Care-Understanding the Impact of an Indigenous Elder Co-lead in Perinatal Dialectical Behaviour Therapy

To integrate traditional Indigenous Knowledge with gold-standard therapy to enrich the patient experience from an anti-oppressive, culturally safe perspective for marginalized individuals with psychosocially complex pregnancies. The Knowledge Carrier does not have a prescribed way of integrating Indigenous knowledge but will respond to each patient on an individual basis depending on the needs in the current session, supporting the patients with story-telling and validation of Indigenous beliefs regarding well-being in pregnancy. Specific Aim 1: To evaluate through a patient lens content of the Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) through the lens of an Indigenous Knowledge Carrier (Elder) to make content more rich and accessible to marginalized persons. Specific Aim 2: To provide a culturally safe space and anti-oppressive care environment for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous patients in keeping with the Truth and Reconciliation Call to Action #22