NW corner of the IHB Counseling Center, serving the American Indian Community in Minneapolis and St Paul.

We believe recovery is driven by culture and connection. At the Indian Health Board’s Recovery Services Clinic, we provide culturally responsive and client-centered care to urban Native American individuals and families in the Twin Cities. Our services include Medical Assisted Treatments, Comprehensive Assessments, Intensive Outpatient Programming, and culturally tailored support groups. We create a safe, judgment-free space where clients are seen, heard, and empowered to take control of their recovery journey. With a blend of traditional practices and modern therapies, we help our clients build resilience, reconnect with their cultural roots, and achieve long-term wellness on the road of recovery.

Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT Program)

The Indian Health Board in Minneapolis is offering Medication Assisted Treatment or MAT to those that may benefit from Suboxone. MAT is a voluntary program that uses Suboxone as a supporting tool to help relatives and community members in addressing opioid dependency.

Suboxone is a prescribed medication that contains buprenorphine and naloxone, two compounds that bind to the opioid receptors in the brain to curb opioid dependence. We understand that not everyone may benefit from the MAT Program. In these cases, we will work to integrate care across clinics to meet your needs. For more information, please email Dr. Laiel Baker-DeKrey at Laiel.Baker@indianhealthboard.com.

MAT Program Flyer

MAT Program Brochure

Meet the Team

Dr. Baker-Dekrey

Recovery Services Director

Laiel Baker-DeKrey, PhD, LP (She/Her)

  • Current Position/Role at IHB: Director of Counseling & Support and Recovery Services
  • Tribal Affiliation: Enrolled member of the Mandan Hidatsa Arikara Nations (Knife Clan)
  • Expertise: Specializes in trauma-informed, land-based, Indigenous-focused care and health equity.
  • Approaches/Trainings: Utilizes trauma-informed, land-based, Indigenous-focused care.
  • Education/Experience: Earned a PhD in Clinical Psychology from the University of North Dakota. Completed the Indians into Psychology Doctoral Education (INPSYDE) Program.
  • Joined Indian Health Board: 2008.
Natasha Babvani, LADC-S, Indian Health Board of Minneapolis

Intensive Outpatient Program Manager | LADC Supervisor

Natasha Babvani, LADC-S (She/Her)

  • Current Position/Role at IHB: Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor Supervisor.
  • Expertise: Specializes in working with culturally specified, gender diverse, co-occurring disorders, trauma-informed care, and provides services to adolescents, adults, and families in a Substance Use Disorder intensive outpatient setting.
  • Approaches/Training: Values a person-centered approach. Utilizes motivational interviewing, dialectical behavioral therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, solution-focused therapy, rational emotive behavioral therapy, and integration of recovery-based programs (trauma-informed groups, harm reduction, 12-step programs, SMART, etc.).
  • Education/Experience: Holds a Bachelor of Science in Alcohol & Drug Studies with a minor in Sociology from Minnesota State, Mankato. Currently enrolled at Minnesota State, Mankato to attain a master’s degree in Community Health Education.
  • Joined Indian Health Board: 2022

Licensed Alcohol Drug Counselor (LADC)

Robert (Bob) Berlien, BS, LADC (He/Him)

  • Current Position/Role at IHB: Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor.
  • Tribal Affiliation: Boise Forte Band of Chippewa (descendent).
  • Expertise: Serves all client and uses Motivational Interviewing and Cognitive Behavior Therapy.
  • Approaches/Training: Utilizes a client-centered approach, meeting clients where they’re at, and employing Unconditional Positive Regard (Rogerian Theory). Also uses Motivational Interviewing and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in helping clients seeking assistance.
  • Education/Experience: Graduated from Minneapolis Community and Technical College with an Alcohol and Drug Counseling Diploma (ADC-T). Also holds a Bachelor of Science in LADC from Metropolitan State University. Previously trained and worked at Nuway, House of Charity, and Alliance Wellness Center.
  • Joined Indian Health Board: 2023

Licensed Alcohol Drug Counselor (LADC)

Bill Carter, LADC (He/Him)

  • Current Position/Role at IHB: Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor.
  • Tribal Affiliation: Enrolled member of the Grand Portage Band of Ojibwe.
  • Expertise: Specializes in trauma-informed, Native-focused care to realize life-long recovery.
  • Approaches/Training: Utilizes trauma-informed, Native-focused care in a good way.
  • Education/Experience: Earned a master’s degree in Addictions Counseling, Previous counseling experience at Juel Fairbanks in St. Paul, MN.
  • Joined Indian Health Board: 2023

Open Positions:

LADC Counselor

Peer Recovery Specialist

Apply here: https://www.indianhealthboard.com/careers/