Mackenzie Kuzyk

I am a Two Spirit and Indigiqueer human who resides in Moh’kins’tsis (Calgary, Alberta). I want to acknowledge and honour the land I live on and call home which is on the traditional and ancestral lands of the Treaty 7 territories including the Blackfoot Confederacy (Siksika, Piikani, and Kainai Nations), the Îyâxe Nakoda (including the Chiniki, Bearspaw and Wesley Nations), Tsuut’ina Nation, and the Metis Nation of Alberta (Region 3). 

I come from mixed ancestry and am French, Irish, and Mi’kmaq. My Nation is in the south of Newfoundland at the mouth of the Conne River and is called Miawpukek First Nation. Unfortunately, I did not grow up learning much about my Indigenous culture and continue to learn about my culture to this day. I am a white-passing Indigenous person which has allocated me privilege in my life and has shaped my experiences.

My counselling approach incorporates Indigenous ways of knowing and I work from a holistic approach which includes consideration of our physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual parts of wellness.  I work from a strength-based, trauma-informed, client-centred and non-judgmental lens. I aim to decolonize the counselling process and am anti-oppressive in how this allows space within the counselling process to see the impacts of colonialism and one’s own experiencing of oppression. 

Western approaches I connect with and have found helpful for folks I have worked with include: 

• Internal Family Systems (IFS)

• Narrative Therapy 

• Developmental Model for Couples Therapy

• Polyvagal & Somatic (Body-Based) Therapy Approaches

Trainings:

Currently taking:
IFSCA ‘Stepping In’ Course (September-December 2024)

Completed:
IFS Online Circle through IFS Institute (May-September 2024)
‘The Brief & Narrative Therapy Summer Intensive Certificate Program’ (August 2024-18 hours)
‘An Introduction to the Developmental Model’ (November 2023-10 hours)
‘Competent & Affirming LGBTQIA+ Couples & Partners Therapy’ (November 2023-12.5 hours)
‘Gender Affirming Hormone Readiness Assessment’ Training (September 2023-6 hours)

I have a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Mount Royal University, a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Calgary, a Master’s in Clinical Social Work from University of Calgary (Specialization: Trauma-Informed Practice) and am a Registered Social Worker. I have worked with Indigenous folks for the past few years, children/youth in care, and have worked with 2SLGBTQ+ youth and adults.  I have training in providing affirming 2SLGBTQ+ relationship therapy and knowledge of the developmental model in providing relationship therapy. 

I am currently accepting clients from British Columbia and Alberta. I am accepting new clients and greatly enjoy working with Two Spirit & Indigiqueer folks, as well as using an IFS-informed counselling approach in supporting 2SLGBTQ+ clients.

I have worked with individuals of all ages, but greatly enjoy working with youth (14-17) and young adults (18-25). I also can complete Hormone Readiness Assessments for adults.

As a queer Indigenous person, I value relationality immensely and believe great healing can be done when in relationship. This work is reciprocal and although I am providing support to you, my Spirit is fueled by supporting folks in the communities I am a part of. My passion is working with Indigenous & 2SLGBTQ+ communities in my social work practice. Our intersectionality, social location, and context all impact how we experience the world. Our queerness, our cultural identity, and our spiritual connections are important parts of ourselves. 

In my personal time, I love spending time with my spouse and 2 cats, Anakin ‘Ani’ & Khaos. I enjoy hanging out with friends and family, scrapbooking, traveling, and watching movies. I also am a big fan of anime, manga, and K-pop. 

To get to know me more and see if I am a good fit for you, feel free to book a free 15-minute phone or Zoom consultation with me using our online booking system or by contacting me via email.

Session Fee: $175 (plus applicable tax) per 50-minute session.