Roots Parental Mental Health

Group mental health therapy support program with a nature-based approach

Roots is one-year long no cost group therapy support program that provides a group therapy session once a month for 12 consecutive months. Roots Parental Mental Health offers an innovative nature-based approach to group therapy and is partnered with Human Nature Counselling Society. The initial cohorts of Roots are for mothers and caregivers impacted by poverty and with mental health challenges including PTSD (diagnosed or undiagnosed) due to intimate partner violence and gender-based violence. We are currently offering two cohorts of the program; one for Indigenous mothers and caregivers one for non-Indigenous mothers and caregivers. The program provides group therapy led by clinical counsellors with a trauma-informed approach. Roots employs an innovative nature-based healing and therapy modality that also aims to break down the barriers around access to local green space and nature on Coast Salish lands for connection, healing, and plant gathering for mothers impacted by trauma.

The program was developed based on input from CFE members; Roots is based on research on the impacts of the pandemic on marginalized mothers and the Indigenous co-hort was developed in collaboration with the Aboriginal Mother Centre.

How does the Roots program work? 

Roots is a one-year program with a set group of selected participants. There are currently two cohorts available in 2023 - an Indigenous and non-Indigenous cohort. Intake for both 2023 cohorts has now completed and the program has begun, however we are aiming to begin new co-horts soon. Nature is Medicine 2023 will run from August 2023 to August 2024. Please see our link below if you wish to fill in our expression of interest form to join the 2024 cohort. 

• Two cohorts offered in 2023 - one Indigenous and one non-Indigenous.
• Group therapy facilitated, shaped, and led by licensed clinical counsellors. 
• Program led by mental health care professionals with expertise in PTSD, trauma, GBV and IPV. 
• A fully trauma-informed approach.
• All transportation and meals during nature-based outings when offered are covered by the program. 
• Honoraria available for at-home childminding for those with children under five and transit costs support to access the program monthly.
• Indigenous cohort group therapy program, activities, outings, and talking circles supported and guided by Elders and knowledge-keepers. 

If you would like to support the program through your involvement as a leader or facilitator, learn more about becoming a program participant as we expand the program, please email [email protected].

To express your interest in applying and registering for the Roots Parental Mental Health program please fill in our expression of interest form here. 

We would like to thank the Vancity Community Foundation and Vancity for their generous financial support for the No Baby Left Behind project which has evolved into Roots Parental Mental Health initiative, and for the support to launch Roots in 2023.