ELEMENTAL Services
Inter-provincial Virtual Counselling Services: BC, AB, SK, MB, & NL, NU
I provide counselling sessions to adults aged 19 and older for Trauma Disorders, Binge Eating Disorders and Disorders Eating including Emotional Overeating and chronic dieting. Sessions are personalized to support each person's individual stage of readiness, resources, risks, needs and goals. With virtual therapy, I work with individuals experiencing low to moderate symptoms. For individuals experiencing more severe symptoms, I encourage referral to an in-person therapist or higher level of care such as a day or residential program.
The time required to learn and practice new skills is unique for each person. The length of treatment varies based on severity of symptoms and presence of co-occurring mental health problems such as substance misuse, anxiety, depression, and body image struggles. With less severe symptoms, treatment may typically involve 12 to 24 sessions (6 months to 1 year). Clients show greater progress when they practice skills and use their tools consistently between sessions.
I use a semi-structured and structured therapeutic approach that integrates evidence-based practices and tools that supports safety, stabilization, and empower you to progress toward your therapeutic goals. Counselling is an important step to healing, and it's essential to recognize that recovery takes time, patience, and practice - it is allowing yourself time to unlearn old ways of 'reacting' and learning new ways of 'responding'.
To ensure we are a fit for working together - that my skill-set can appropriately support each client - I begin with a Phone Consultation to learn about your problem, goals, and expectations for therapy. Next, we begin our work together, starting with an intake session that includes more details about your history and assessing for specific symptoms. This step provides us with essential information that promotes your awareness of specific symptoms and provides us with a guide for treatment planning. As we grow familiar with one another over initial sessions, we strive to flex and respond to your individual needs, strengths and wisdom into this treatment plan.
Working with Emotional Overeating and Binge Eating Disorders, we may employ a Structured Treatment such as Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), or a semi-structured Staged Treatment program using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) augmented by Mindfulness, Somatic Experiencing, Creative Expression, and Narrative therapies - approaches to enhance regulation, coping, improved connection with body and mind, and processing. Guided Self-Help (GSH) tools such as workbooks and worksheets may be also integrated.
Addressing Trauma disorders together, including PTSD and Complex PTSD, we will use a Three Phase Treatment approach. This is a an evidenced model for trauma that focuses on safety and stabilization, and development of key coping and regulation skills that help you improve daily functioning, and empower you to safely navigate the Processing and Integration Phases in a healthy way, with a reduced risk of traumatization. The Three Phase approach integrates Somatic Experiencing and Regulation, Mindfulness therapy, DBT Distress Tolerance skills, Polyvagal theory, Creative Expression, EMDR, FLASH Technique-emdr, CBT, and Parts Work.
Virtual therapy offers a number of benefits including accessibility, cost-effectiveness, enhanced privacy, reduced waiting times, and the opportunities for improved participation and skill application. Many find that virtual counseling comparable to that of face-to-face interactions. That said, challenges can arise, such as environmental disruptions (e.g., pets or children), variability in connection quality, or rare instances of power outages due to weather, and fewer non-verbal indicators (body language below the ribs).
Regarding Privacy and Confidentiality, I utilize Zoom Professional to ensure compliance with PIPEDA/HIPAA standards to maintain your confidentiality and security, and positive bandwith/wifi connection.
Before starting therapy, I strongly encourage you confirm coverage with your EAP or Health Insurance Provider.
The time required to learn and practice new skills is unique for each person. The length of treatment varies based on severity of symptoms and presence of co-occurring mental health problems such as substance misuse, anxiety, depression, and body image struggles. With less severe symptoms, treatment may typically involve 12 to 24 sessions (6 months to 1 year). Clients show greater progress when they practice skills and use their tools consistently between sessions.
I use a semi-structured and structured therapeutic approach that integrates evidence-based practices and tools that supports safety, stabilization, and empower you to progress toward your therapeutic goals. Counselling is an important step to healing, and it's essential to recognize that recovery takes time, patience, and practice - it is allowing yourself time to unlearn old ways of 'reacting' and learning new ways of 'responding'.
To ensure we are a fit for working together - that my skill-set can appropriately support each client - I begin with a Phone Consultation to learn about your problem, goals, and expectations for therapy. Next, we begin our work together, starting with an intake session that includes more details about your history and assessing for specific symptoms. This step provides us with essential information that promotes your awareness of specific symptoms and provides us with a guide for treatment planning. As we grow familiar with one another over initial sessions, we strive to flex and respond to your individual needs, strengths and wisdom into this treatment plan.
Working with Emotional Overeating and Binge Eating Disorders, we may employ a Structured Treatment such as Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), or a semi-structured Staged Treatment program using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) augmented by Mindfulness, Somatic Experiencing, Creative Expression, and Narrative therapies - approaches to enhance regulation, coping, improved connection with body and mind, and processing. Guided Self-Help (GSH) tools such as workbooks and worksheets may be also integrated.
Addressing Trauma disorders together, including PTSD and Complex PTSD, we will use a Three Phase Treatment approach. This is a an evidenced model for trauma that focuses on safety and stabilization, and development of key coping and regulation skills that help you improve daily functioning, and empower you to safely navigate the Processing and Integration Phases in a healthy way, with a reduced risk of traumatization. The Three Phase approach integrates Somatic Experiencing and Regulation, Mindfulness therapy, DBT Distress Tolerance skills, Polyvagal theory, Creative Expression, EMDR, FLASH Technique-emdr, CBT, and Parts Work.
Virtual therapy offers a number of benefits including accessibility, cost-effectiveness, enhanced privacy, reduced waiting times, and the opportunities for improved participation and skill application. Many find that virtual counseling comparable to that of face-to-face interactions. That said, challenges can arise, such as environmental disruptions (e.g., pets or children), variability in connection quality, or rare instances of power outages due to weather, and fewer non-verbal indicators (body language below the ribs).
Regarding Privacy and Confidentiality, I utilize Zoom Professional to ensure compliance with PIPEDA/HIPAA standards to maintain your confidentiality and security, and positive bandwith/wifi connection.
Before starting therapy, I strongly encourage you confirm coverage with your EAP or Health Insurance Provider.
In-person Trauma & Mental Health Coaching Services, Miramichi, NB
Professional in-person Trauma and Mental Health Coaching services are provided in our new Miramichi office in New Brunswick. Coaching sessions run 45-to-75 minutes and are personalized to reflect the needs, goals and resources of each individual.
Psychological Coaching sessions are a semi-structured process and focus on "the here-now-and-future" of the goals and aspirations of each person growing through mental health and problems associated with the complexity of traumatic events and significant life changes.
Learn how can coaching help you.
Psychological Coaching sessions are a semi-structured process and focus on "the here-now-and-future" of the goals and aspirations of each person growing through mental health and problems associated with the complexity of traumatic events and significant life changes.
Learn how can coaching help you.
Trauma & Mental Health Coaching Groups, New Brunswick
Elemental Psychotherapy & Support Services will be developing and offering a Mental Health Coaching Groups this summer and fall. Groups will include CBT, Nature, and Mindfulness-based strategies and skills and focus on trauma, emotional eating, and stress management.
Groups will be structured to support 6-25 individuals at our beautiful Miramichi location. Groups will focus on integrating embodied connection with tools of expression, emotional regulation, and expressive art and nature in this tranquil setting.
Pre-registration is required. Group run 90-minutes over 6 weeks. Materials are included with the fee. Because groups include a simple outdoor activity in nature, individuals are encouraged to wear comfortable clothing and footwear.
Media Relations Experience
- Recovery Bites, Specialty Podcast Series - Episode 16, Michele Gardiner, Living in Your Element(podcast/episode16)
- Woman Entrepreneur
- Victoria Times Colonist
- Here to Help BC, Visions Journal - Body Image
- Here to Help BC, Visions Journal - Binge Eating: Compulsive Behaviour or Food Addiction
- Abbotsford News, Interview - Eating Disorder Awareness Week
- Penticton Herald, Interview - Eating Disorder Awareness Week
- Penticton Herald, Interview - Absolute Truth About Drugs: Stories from Youth
- Penticton Herald, Interview - Crystal Meth, Prevalence and Prevention in Schools
- Penticton Western News, Interview - Ketamine: Date Rape Drugs in the Okanagan
- Penticton Herald, Summerland Review, Interview(s) - Give a Girl A Smile Fundraising Project
- CBC Radio, Interview: Give a Girl A Smile Fundraising Project
- CBC Radio, DNTO: What Can You Do in Disguise That You Can't Get Done As Yourself?
- Ron Zalko Fitness/Shaw Television, Instructional Fitness Video
“Nothing is better for self-esteem than survival."
Martha Gellhorn