ELEMENTAL Services
As a therapist, and human being, I understand how creating change may feel like an intimidating yet exciting and deeply meaningful step in a person's, couple's, or family's life. At Elemental Psychotherapy, I provide informed outpatient therapy to individuals, couples, and groups using Direct and Distance (Tele-therapy) modes to support healthy change and growth through Eating Disorders, Behavioural Addictions and Compulsive Disorders, Complex Trauma and related mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, attachment. body image distress, loss, perfectionism, identity and self-esteem issues.
In addition to being an exciting and meaningful step in life, therapy is a commitment of time, energy and emotions so length of therapy varies from person to person depending on one's Resources, Supports, Level of Awareness, and Motivation (Readiness) to address the problems.
In addition to being an exciting and meaningful step in life, therapy is a commitment of time, energy and emotions so length of therapy varies from person to person depending on one's Resources, Supports, Level of Awareness, and Motivation (Readiness) to address the problems.
In circumstances where outpatient treatment is not an appropriate or supportive fit (increased medical risk, lack of motivation or readiness), sessions may be adjusted to increase support or a referral will be provided to a higher "level of care" such as an Intensive Outpatient Program through the Health Authority or structured Residential Inpatient Program that focus on hospitalization and medical stabilization.
Where regular outpatient therapy is an appropriate fit for care, sessions generally occur once-to-twice a week for 2-to-4 months, then taper-off to bi-weekly, monthly then completing relapse prevention before concluding therapy (12-to-40 sessions). The pace is decided through a collaborative process by you and members of your treatment team - Counsellor, Doctor, Dietitian, Psychiatrist to encourage a safe, healthy, sustaining recovery. Many people find periodic "booster sessions" to be a positive way to prevent relapse and continue growth following completion.
Whether you are seeking therapy for added support around work and relationships, to navigate a transition in life, to enhance knowledge and skills around a problem, or to develop the awareness and skills to improve your capacity to regulate and process emotions, I look forward to helping you. As a Registered Canadian Certified Counsellor and Psychotherapist (CCC), I offer rigorous training and experience in my areas of competency and focus on providing informed, ethical, and compassionate client-centred care. When it comes to service and privacy, I offer direct in-person therapy and secure teletherapy (online and phone) across Canada using professional PIPPA/HIPPA compliant technologies to safeguard your privacy.
Whether you are seeking therapy for added support around work and relationships, to navigate a transition in life, to enhance knowledge and skills around a problem, or to develop the awareness and skills to improve your capacity to regulate and process emotions, I look forward to helping you. As a Registered Canadian Certified Counsellor and Psychotherapist (CCC), I offer rigorous training and experience in my areas of competency and focus on providing informed, ethical, and compassionate client-centred care. When it comes to service and privacy, I offer direct in-person therapy and secure teletherapy (online and phone) across Canada using professional PIPPA/HIPPA compliant technologies to safeguard your privacy.
Individual Counselling Therapy: $135-to-$200/session
Counselling sessions for adult individuals run 60-minutes, 90-minutes, and 120-minutes, and are personalized and collaborative to reflect the therapeutic readiness, needs and goals of each individual person. Clients are strongly encouraged to confirm coverage with their EAP/Health Insurance Provider prior to commencing sessions. Pro-bono services may be extended to individuals and/or families where a need is demonstrated. Please note that this services is generally limited.
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 a partner and partnership applying Adult Attachment and Emotionally Focused Therapy paired with CBT and enhancement of 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 2023!
Our "Break the Binge" Therapy Group is Back!! Launched in 2018, we're back in Jan 2023!
- 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
- New York City, 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 Project
- DNTO, What Can You Do in Disguise That You Can't Get Done As Yourself?
- Ron Zalko Fitness and Shaw Television, Instructional Fitness Video
“Nothing is better for self-esteem than survival."
Martha Gellhorn