ELEMENTAL Therapists
Michele L. Gardiner, BSocSc., MA Couns, CCC, CSAC, EDIT, SE
"As a Humanistic therapist, I apply an Attachment and Trauma-Informed lens and Evidence-Based Treatments such as
CBT, DBT, EFT, EMDR, MI and Somatic therapies, bridged by Expressive Arts, Nature, and Intuitive therapies."
Eco-Therapy - Fall/WinterEco-Therapy - Spring/Summer
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Welcome to the Therapist's page. I am Michele Gardiner, a Registered Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC) and Psychotherapist and the founder of ELEMENTAL Psychotherapy & Support Services in beautiful Summerland, BC. Being an advocate and helping others in the prevention and treatment of Eating Disorders and concurrent Mental Health issues has been a lifelong passion born of both personal and professional experience.
As a Counsellor and Psychotherapist, I work with individuals, families and groups, age-16 and over, applying a collaborative, strength-based and person-centered approach that bridges openness with compassion and a touch of humour, and an unwavering belief that human beings are masterful at surviving hardship and creating change. This philosophy is shaped by 17-years' of Direct Counselling Experience working within the Private, Public and Not-for-Profit sectors of healthcare providing counselling support to individuals, couples and families around general and complex mental health issues such as Addictions, Anxiety Disorders, Eating Disorders, Mood and Depressive Disorders, Traumatic Brain Injury, Trauma (PTSD, CPTSD), Domestic Violence and Abuse, Bullying, Sexual Assault, Severe Behavioural and Dysregulation Problems, and Suicidal Ideation in children, youth, and adults, age 10 to 65. My therapeutic perspective is also shaped by my Lived Experience through recovery from an Eating Disorder and Compulsive Exercise in my mid to late 20s. Coping mechanisms triggered by a collision of traumatic events and residual struggles with anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Surviving these struggles has shaped me as a human-being and therapist and nurtured a greater capacity for empathy, authenticity, and deep respect for the Trauma-Informed Practices that create a safe and caring healing space around the work we do together. Parts of my healing journey have been captured in the lens of Expressive Arts Therapy and shared with you through a temporary gallery at ELEMENTAL Expressions. These experiences inspired a strong sense of advocacy and a dedication to Volunteer Experiences with organizations focused on promoting awareness and prevention around Eating Disorders and Mental Health and fueled a desire to give back to the community. These have included volunteer roles as:
Supporting my experience and volunteer work, formal Education includes a Masters Degree in Counselling, a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Social Sciences from the University of Victoria focusing on Biopsychology and Para-Linguistics, and Post-graduate Training and Certifications in my key areas of practice (See Education, Training, and Professional Competencies) . A key focus in post-graduate training has been developing specialized knowledge and skills in the Assessment and Treatment of Eating Disorders through the respected and leading organization, International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals (ieadp™). Professional training and membership with ieadp has allowed me to realize a longtime goal towards supporting individuals and families around eating disorders and body image in a professional capacity. This training supports the treatment of children, youth, adults and families, and includes:
As a Registered Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC), I participate in regular Consultation and Supervision, hold Professional Certifications and Memberships in good standing with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA), the American Psychological Association (APA), the Academy of Eating Disorders (AED) the International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals (iaedp™), Eating Disorder Association of Canada (EDAC), and the International Association of Trauma Professionals (IATP). Outside of counselling, I enjoy reading, photography and being in the beautiful outdoors. Wind, rain, snow and shine, I feel my healthiest and most authentic Self in Nature and take it in by hiking, skiing, snow-shoeing, and paddling with my family and Canine Co-therapist in training, Ash (Ashy). I frequently encourage clients to develop a relationship with Nature as a way of improving interoceptive awareness and a more wholistic, embodied connection to mind, body and spirit. Being in Nature helps us to ground, regulate and improve our sense of Self and connection to the world and space around us. We are always accepted and never alone in Nature! Welcome Co-therapist, Ash!In August of 2019, co-therapist, Ash, joined the ELEMETNAL Psychotherapy team! Ash is currently maturing and training to be a comforting presence in the therapy space. Watching Ash settle and out grow his puppy energy and behaviours, I am hoping he will join us more regularly soon!
To learn more about the link between nature and positive mental health I invite you read the September 2022 article, How nature nurtures: Amygdala activity decreases as the result of a one-hour walk in nature. Or, earlier articles on the benefits of nature for mental health by Rob Jordan, posted in Stanford University News (2015) and "30 Days Wild" (2016), by Richardson, Cormack, McRobert, and Underhill. When it comes to nature and the well-being of animals and others, Elemental Psychotherapy is happy to provide on-going support to local community organizations such as Critteraid Animal Sanctuary, the Summerland Food Bank, and local BCSPCA. If you have questions, would like to book a free consultation, contact me at michele@elementalpsychotherapy.com, or call 250-859-8671. I look forward to hearing from you and learning how we can support you in creating the change you most desire. |
“Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees...while cares drop away like the leaves of Autumn.”
John Muir
“Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees...while cares drop away like the leaves of Autumn.”
John Muir
* Copying the contents of this page without permission of the author, Michele L. Gardiner, is plagiarism, a crime and violation of Ethics of the BCACC, CCPA, APA.