ELEMENTAL Therapists'
Michele L. Gardiner, BA Psych, MA Couns, CCC, CSAC, EDIT, SE
"A HAES-oriented, Humanistic therapist, I am person-centred, apply an Attachment and Trauma-Informed lens and bridge
evidence-based treatments such as CBT, DBT, EFT, EMDR and MI bridged by Somatic, Expressive Arts, and Nature-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 in "good standing" with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA) and the founder of ELEMENTAL Psychotherapy & Support Services in beautiful Summerland, BC. Being an advocate and helping others with the prevention and treatment of Eating Disorders and Mental Health issues has been a lifelong passion born of personal and professional experience.
As a Counsellor and Psychotherapist, I work with individuals, couples, 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 the unwavering belief that, as human beings, we are masterful at creating change. This personal and professional philosophy is shaped by 16-years' of Direct Counselling Experience and 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 including Addictions, Eating Disorders, Anxiety Disorders, Mood Disorders, Brain Injury, Trauma (Domestic Violence and Abuse, Neglect, Bullying, Sexual Assault, and Relational Trauma), as well as Severe Behavioural Problems and Suicidal Ideation in children, youth, and adults, age 10 to 65. My therapeutic perspective is also shaped by my Lived Experience and Recovery from Anorexia Nervosa and Compulsive Overexercise in my 20s, an experience triggered by the collision of traumatic events and residual struggles with anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Surviving these struggles has helped shape me as a human-being and therapist, nurturing a greater capacity for empathy, authenticity, and deep respect for the Trauma-Informed Practices that make this a safe and caring space for the healing work we do together. Parts of my healing journey have been captured through the lens of Expressive Arts Therapy and are shared with you through a temporary gallery at ELEMENTAL Expressions. This experience 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 roles include working as a Peer Counsellor with the BC Eating Disorder Association (BCEDA), as a Community Prevention Educator and Board Member with Awareness and Networking Around Eating Disorders (ANAD) and Jessie's Hope Society, a Consultancy Role with MCFD's Abbotsford Eating Disorder Team, and most recently as an External Editor with the Canadian Mental Health Association’s esteemed Mental Health Journal, Visions. I currently serve as an active member of the National Review Committee with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association. Since 2005 have spoken to hundreds of health care providers, teachers and students in schools, colleges and universities on the topic of Eating Disorders and Disordered Eating, Body Image and Addictions. Details on media engagement and public speaking can be located on 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 (Education, Training and Professional Competencies) . 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 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. I frequently encourage clients to develop a relationship with Nature as a way of developing interoceptive awareness and a more wholistic 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 around us. 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 at http://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 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
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