Leigh Sheldon

Mrs. Sheldon Cree name (pihphichow) is a Registered Psychologist from Swan River First Nation with extensive experience in both clinical practice and academia. She has a background in Indigenous Psychology and LifeSpan Development, having taught these subjects at University nuhelot’įne thaiyots’į nistameyimâkanak Blue Quills.

In 2021, Mrs. Sheldon founded Indigenous Psychological Services (IPS), an organization that now boasts a team of 33 practitioners across offices in Edmonton, Calgary, and Enoch Cree Nation. With a career in the mental health field that began in 2003, Mrs. Sheldon has worked extensively in northern communities, supporting healthy choices for Indigenous families. Her experience includes six years as a clinical supervisor at Night Wind Treatment Center in Edmonton, where she played a pivotal role in creating a treatment program that incorporates the Wheel for Change, a model honoring Indigenous cultural practices. She was also a clinical lead in The Edmonton Drug Court Treatment Center in 2014.

Mrs. Sheldon is a complex trauma specialist with certifications in several therapeutic modalities, including Somatic Attachment Practitioner, Somatic Experiencing Practitioner, and EMDR. She is also trained in Polyvagal Theory and Indigenous Focused Oriented Therapy.

Her approach integrates Indigenous trauma-informed techniques, particularly those rooted in the Medicine Wheel, within a clinical setting. She blends cultural practices with evidence-based therapies, creating a holistic healing model that respects Indigenous knowledge systems. Mrs. Sheldon’s work also delves into the impacts of colonization, historical trauma, systemic racism, and oppression. She practices two-eyed seeing, acknowledging the importance of both Indigenous and Western healing approaches and the role of land-based healing in modern therapy.

Mrs. Sheldon's unique expertise allows her to bridge traditional Indigenous healing practices with contemporary psychological therapies, creating a culturally respectful and effective therapeutic environment for Indigenous clients.