Meet Michelle

Michelle is a Registered Social Worker and a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) with over 12 years of experience working with children and families in a community mental health setting.  In her previous position, Michelle led the development and implementation of a Social Work Program focused on supporting parents and families with a history of interpersonal violence and trauma.  In addition, she provided parenting support and parent coaching to families caring for children with special needs.

By creating an environment of warmth, non-judgement and support, Michelle connects with children, youth, and families and works alongside them to uncover and name challenges and generate plans that foster healing and growth.  Michelle uses a trauma-informed, strengths-based approach and draws on multiple areas of knowledge to create a therapeutic space that is collaborative, compassionate, and focused on meaningful change. She is currently completing a graduate level art therapy certification at the Toronto Art Therapy Institute, and is passionate about providing Art Therapy.

Work With Michelle

Areas of treatment

 

  • Parenting and Parent-Child Relationship

  • Family Conflict and Repair

  • Depression/Anxiety

  • Grief and Bereavement/Parental Loss

  • Emotion Dysregulation

  • Attachment and Trauma

  • Families with Children with Special Needs

  • Infant Mental Health

  • Identity and Self-Esteem

  • Behaviour Concerns in Children and Youth

 

Techniques used

  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

  • Solution Focused/Solution Oriented Therapy

  • Trauma-Informed Therapy

  • Family Systems Therapy

  • Art-based Therapy

  • Mindfulness-Based Therapy

  • Parent/Caregiver Coaching

  • Emotion-Focused Therapy

  • Narrative Therapy

  • Strengths-Based

  • Attachment Theory

Education

  • Graduate Level Diploma in Art Therapy – Toronto Art Therapy Institute (In progress)

  • Master of Social Work – University of Toronto

  • Bachelor of Social Work – Toronto Metropolitan University

  • Honours Bachelor of Science (Psychology) – University of Toronto

Certifications

  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

  • Solution-Focused/Solution-Oriented Therapy

  • Infant and Early Mental Health Certified

  • Triple P (Positive Parenting Program) Certified

  • Building Connections Early-intervention Program Addressing Interpersonal Violence and Child Maltreatment Certified

  • Emotion-Focused Skills Training

  • Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST)

  • Supporting Grieving Children Training

  • Art Therapy (In training)

Professional organizations

  • Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW)

  • The College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO)

  • Canadian Art Therapy Association (CATA)