Dr. Peter Hettinga

Dr. Peter Hettinga holds a PhD in Clinical Social Work/Educational Psychology from the University of Minnesota 1978; a Master of Social Work with a clinical specialization from the University of Calgary 1975 and a Bachelor of Social Work degree with a direct client service focus from the University of Calgary 1974. He is licensed as a Registered Psychotherapist (licensed Ontario health care provider) and as a Registered Social Worker in Ontario.

Having previously taught graduate level family therapy at the University of Nebraska at Omaha as a tenure track faculty member, Dr. Hettinga served as an expert panelist with the Advisory Group on Suicide Prevention (mandated by the Federal Minister of Health and the National Chief AFN) which authored “Acting on What We Know: Preventing Youth Suicides in First Nations”. Appendix F “Community Crisis Assessment Guideline” was his design (2001). Dr. Hettinga also served as Assessment Team Leader with the Nishnawbe-Aski Nation Youth Forum on Suicide which produced the report Horizons of Hope- An Empowering Journey (1996).

Dr. Hettinga interviewed upwards of 30 survivors of residential institutions to prepare survivors for adjudication hearings as part of the Independent Assessment process and to support survivors in accessing healing and reconciliation funds.   He is committed to First Nations self determination, working to support First Nations in their goal to achieve full agency.  He believes that the Lac Seul “Bringing Our Children Home Initiative” is ultimately about healing for survivors, their families and communities.

Dr. Hettinga provides clinical leadership to the Lac Seul “Bringing Our Children Home” mental health support team members, consults regularly with the Initiative administration team, as well as providing assessment, crisis-oriented psychotherapy, and consultations on intergenerational family trauma.