ELEMENTAL Therapists
Michele L. Gardiner, BA SocSc, MAC, CCC, CSAC, CFTP, EDIT
"A HAES-oriented, Humanistic therapist, I am person-centred, apply an Attachment and Trauma-Informed lens and bridge evidence-based treatments, CBT, DBT, EFFT, MBCT and MI with Expressive Arts, Eco and Somatic methods."
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 in "good standing" with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA) and the founder of ELEMENTAL Psychotherapy & Support Services in beautiful Summerland, BC. Helping people, individuals, families and communities, around the prevention and treatment of Eating Disorders and Mental Health issues has been a lifelong passion - one born of personal and professional experience.
As a Counsellor and Psychotherapist, I work with individuals, couples, families and groups, age-12 and over, applying a collaborative, strength-based and person-centered approach that bridges openness with respect, compassion, a touch of humour and the unwavering belief that, as human beings, we are masterful survivors capable of creating incredible change and growth through adversity. This perspective is shaped from 16-years' of Direct Clinical Counselling experience within the Private, Public and Not-for-Profit sectors of health care supporting individuals and families with general and complex mental health issues including Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, Addictions, Eating Disorders, Domestic Violence and Abuse, Bullying, Sexual Assault, and Severe Behavioural Problems and Suicidal Ideation in children, youth and adults. It is also shaped by personal experiences, including my Personal Recovery Experience in overcoming Anorexia Nervosa and Compulsive Over-exercise, which was triggered in my early 20s following a collision of traumatic events. At the time, I was filled with overwhelming emotions - loss, anxiety, depression - but lacked the ability to express these intense feelings in a healthy way. Over-exercising and restricting from food, joy, and meaningful connections became an outlet for surviving that pain until I developed newer and healthier coping skills. Recovery provided a safe place and tools for exploring, expressing, processing, and growing past the pain and into the present. Learn more about my recovery journey through the application of Expressive Arts and Exposure Therapy in a temporary gallery, ELEMENTAL Expressions. Recovery also inspired a strong sense of advocacy and led me to several meaningful Volunteer Experiences with organizations dedicated to promoting awareness and prevention around Eating Disorders and Mental Health and fueled a desire to give back to the community. These valued volunteer roles include working as a Peer Counsellor with the BC Eating Disorder Association, as a Community Prevention Educator and Board Member with Awareness and Networking Around Eating Disorders, later Jessie's Hope Society, a Consultancy role with MCFD's Abbotsford Eating Disorder Team, and more recently as an External Editor with the Canadian Mental Health Association’s esteemed Mental Health Journal, Visions. I currently serve as a Member of the National Review Committee for the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association. Since 2005, I have acted as a Public Speaker and spoken to hundreds of students in schools, colleges and universities about the topic of Eating Disorders, Disordered Eating and Body Image. For more on media engagement, public speaking and community education visit the Services Page. In addition to this experience and volunteer work, Education includes a Masters Degree in Counselling, a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Social Sciences from the University of Victoria with a focus on Biopsychology and Para-Linguistics, and Post-graduate Training and Certifications focused towards these passions and areas of professional practice (training/education here). A main focus in post-graduate training has been on developing specialized knowledge and skills in the Assessment and Treatment of Eating Disorders through the well respected International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals (ieadp™), which realized a longtime goal to support individuals and families around eating disorders and body image in a professional capacity. The training I have completed supports children, youth, adults and families and includes:
As a Registered Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC), I participate in regular Consultation and Professional Supervision and hold Professional Certifications and Memberships in good standing with: The Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA), the American Psychological Association (APA), 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, most authentic Self in Nature and take it in by hiking, skiing, snow-shoeing, paddling and sky-gazing with my family and Canine Co-therapist in training, Ash. I frequently encourage clients to develop a relationship with Nature as a way of creating a wholistic connection to mind, body and spirit. Being in Nature helps us to centre and regulate, improve our sense of self and connection to the world we share. Welcome Co-therapist, Ash!In August of 2019, a cuddly new 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 in therapy more regularly soon!
To learn more about the link between pets and positive mental health visit the following link athttp://www.helpguide.org/articles/emotional-health/the-health-benefits-of-pets.htm. Discover more about the benefits of nature for mental health, in the 2015 article by Rob Jordan, posted in Stanford University News. Or the 2016 article "30 Days Wild" by Richardson, Cormack, McRobert, and Underhill. 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 will drop away from you like the leaves of Autumn.”
John Muir
“Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees...
while cares will drop away from you like the leaves of Autumn.”
John Muir