Holistic Counselling & Rehab Services

HCRS delivers a full spectrum of counselling and rehabilitation programs, similar to those found in well-established rehab facilities in southern Canada but tailored to meet the unique needs of the North. We provide individual, family, and group counselling; addictions and recovery support; life skills development; trauma-informed care; culturally safe wellness programs; and non-medical detox services in a supportive and client-centred environment.

Our approach combines professional therapeutic interventions with holistic practices to address mental health, substance use, and life challenges. We serve clients in Yellowknife and surrounding NWT communities, and also provide virtual services to remote, rural, and Indigenous communities throughout Northern Canada.

Bala has provided counselling services in northern and remote communities across British Columbia and throughout the Arctic region of Canada, where access to timely and culturally relevant services is often limited. He has also partnered with international NGOs to deliver virtual counselling groups, workshops, and training sessions in India, Malaysia, Dubai, Florida, Denmark, Sweden, and New Zealand. These global collaborations demonstrate his ability to adapt evidence-based counselling methods to diverse cultural and social contexts while maintaining client-centred care.

Bala specializes in relapse prevention, substance use counselling, and non-medical detoxification supports. His approach to non-medical detox is rooted in talk therapy frameworks, combining Motivational Interviewing (MI) to strengthen client readiness for change, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) to address thought–behaviour patterns, and Trauma-Informed Practice to ensure safety and trust. By integrating these frameworks, he helps clients develop coping strategies, enhance resilience, and sustain recovery without reliance on medication when clinical detox is not required.

Currently, Bala is pursuing a Doctor of Science in Rehabilitation Science and Health Leadership (DSc RHL) at Queen’s University. This advanced academic work strengthens his ability to design and lead innovative health service models tailored to the needs of marginalized and underserved clients in the Arctic. It bridges clinical expertise with policy, leadership, and system-level change a crucial asset in reducing the North’s reliance on southern rehabilitation services.

In addition to his clinical and academic roles, Bala proudly serves as a Civilian Instructor with the Canadian Armed Forces Cadet Program. In this capacity, he mentors youth in leadership, discipline, and resilience, providing positive role modelling and life skills development. This community involvement reflects his commitment to building strong, healthy futures for Northern youth.

As a visible minority and immigrant to Canada, Bala understands the systemic barriers, stigma, and inequities faced by minority populations particularly in the North. This lived experience enhances his ability to engage clients with empathy, cultural humility, and credibility. His leadership combines vision, compassion, and pragmatism, positioning him as both a skilled counsellor and a transformative leader dedicated to advancing wellness across the Arctic.