ELEMENTAL Services
As a therapist and human being, I understand creating change can feel like an intimidating yet meaningful step in life. At Elemental Psychotherapy, I offer integrative and informed outpatient therapy experience to individuals and groups using Distance (Teletherapy) to support healthy change and growth through Binge and Emotional Overeating, Codependency, Complex/Relational Trauma, and related mental health issues such as anxiety, communication, depression, insecure attachment, perfectionism, identity and self-esteem issues that may present alongside. In addition to being a time of self-discovery and growth, therapy is a commitment of mind, energy, and emotions and the length of each person's experience varies depending on existing resources, supports, coping skills and awareness, as well as their Readiness to address problems.
In circumstances where teletherapy outpatient treatment is not an appropriate fit (due to increased medical risk, reduced stability, or lack of supports), an individual may be encouraged to increase sessions or to access a referral to a higher "level of care" such as an Intensive Outpatient Program or structured Residential Inpatient Program.
Where regular outpatient therapy is an appropriate fit, sessions generally occur once a week, then taper-off to bi-weekly, monthly, then closing therapy - after completing a supportive personalized relapse prevention. Many people find periodic "booster sessions" to be a positive way to prevent relapse and continue growth. Therapy is a collaborative process and the pace of therapy is set to fit each person's individual needs to encourage a safe, healthy, and sustaining recovery.
Where regular outpatient therapy is an appropriate fit, sessions generally occur once a week, then taper-off to bi-weekly, monthly, then closing therapy - after completing a supportive personalized relapse prevention. Many people find periodic "booster sessions" to be a positive way to prevent relapse and continue growth. Therapy is a collaborative process and the pace of therapy is set to fit each person's individual needs to encourage a safe, healthy, and sustaining recovery.
Whether you are seeking therapy for added support around work, relationships, or a recent transition in life or to develop the knowledge, skills and awareness to face a problem and process emotions around this, I look forward to supporting you on this journey of healing and growth.
As a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional and registered Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC) in good standing, I offer extensive training and experience in my areas of focus and provide informed, ethical, compassionate client-centred care and offer secure, PIPEDA-compliant technologies to promote a safe setting for virtual session work.
As a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional and registered Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC) in good standing, I offer extensive training and experience in my areas of focus and provide informed, ethical, compassionate client-centred care and offer secure, PIPEDA-compliant technologies to promote a safe setting for virtual session work.
Individual Counselling Therapy: $135-to-$175/session
Counselling sessions for adult individuals run 60-minutes and 90-minutes and are personalized to reflect the therapeutic readiness, needs and goals of each individual. For insurance, clients are strongly encouraged to confirm coverage with their EAP/Health Insurance Provider before commencing sessions. Pro-bono services may be extended to individuals and/or families where a need is demonstrated; this is a limited service.
Couples & Family Counselling Therapy: $175/session
Couples counselling sessions run 60-minutes and 90-minutes and are personalized to reflect the readiness, needs, and goals of each couple as an individual and partner. Sessions apply Attachment theory and Emotionally Focused Therapy paired with CBT and Communications skills. Clients are strongly encouraged to confirm coverage with their EAP/Health Insurance Provider prior to commencing sessions.
Group Therapy: $35-to-$75/ 60-minute session
Group therapy is an option provided for adult individuals struggling with Compulsive Overeating, Binge-Eating Disorder, and Body Image Dissatisfaction. Groups are offered annually based on demand and availability of space. These intensive groups apply a HAES-based, holistic, biopsychosocial-spiritual model. The applied approach is based on group type and problem area and apply Dialectical Behavioural Therapy, or Cognitive Behavioural Therapy in combination with Mindfulness and Somatic Embodiment and Regulation skills with Eco-therapy to inspire and enhance understanding, awareness and coping skills. Groups run weekly over 4-to-8 weeks and fees include intake screening and general materials. Groups for 2023 include:
Our "Break the Binge" Therapy Group is Back!! Launched in 2018, we're back in Jan 2024!
Our "Break the Binge" Therapy Group is Back!! Launched in 2018, we're back in Jan 2024!
- On-line Treatment Group: Jan - Mar 2023
- Duration: 12-weeks
- Runs: Saturday mornings, 9 am - 10:15 am, for 75-minutes
- Fee: $540+ GST for the full 12-week program ($45 per session, savings of $80/session)
- Details: For this is closed group that applies Intuitive Therapy and Somatic Therapy.
- Registration: Deadline is Jan 15. Fees are due at registration and non-refundable. A brief screening will be completed to assess that this is a supportive fit for each member.
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