ELEMENTAL Therapist
Michele L. Gardiner, Registered Professional C.C.C. #10000685
MA Counselling Psychology, BSS Psychology & Linguistics
Certifications: CCTP, CAC, EDIT, EMDR, FT, SE
"As a Humanistic therapist, I apply an Attachment and Trauma-Informed lens and Evidence-based Treatment approaches including
CBT, DBT, EFT, EMDR, FT, MI, and Somatic therapies bridged by Expressive Arts, Nature, Mindfulness and Intuitive 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 the founder of ELEMENTAL Psychotherapy & Support Services newly located in Winnipeg, MB. Helping others prevent and overcome struggles with Eating Disorders, Trauma, and Mental Health has been a lifelong passion born of both personal and professional experience.
As a therapist, I take great pleasure in supporting individuals towards their therapeutic and life goals. I apply a collaborative, strength-based and person-centered approach that bridges compassion and authenticity with a touch of humour and the unwavering belief that, as human beings, we are survivors and masterful at creating growth and change through great struggle in life. This perspective is formed by 17 years of Direct Counselling Experience and working within the Private, Public, and Not-for-Profit sectors of healthcare providing counselling support to individuals, couples, families, and groups, aged 10 to 70, around general and more complex mental health issues such as Addictions, Anxiety Disorders, BPD, Eating Disorders, Mood and Depressive Disorders, Trauma, (PTSD and C-PTSD), Bullying, Intimate Partner Violence, Sexual Assault, Severe Behavioural problems and Suicidal Ideation in children and youth. My philosophy of counselling is also founded on Lived Experience and Recovery from an Eating Disorder and Compulsive Overexercise in my 20s - a coping mechanism triggered by a collision of traumatic events in my life at that time and the residual struggles with anxiety, depression, and grief that followed. My recovery continues to inform, strengthen and shape me as an individual and therapist, nurturing deeper empathy, compassion, and understanding of the struggle and what it can look and feel like to overcome, and a deep respect for the Trauma-Informed Practices that create a safe healing space around the special and unique work we do together. (I am sharing parts of my journey on a unique page and captured through the lens of Expressive Arts Therapy in a temporary gallery at ELEMENTAL Expressions.) Life experience has also inspired a strong sense of advocacy and dedication for giving back through pro-bono and Volunteer Experiences with organizations focused on promoting awareness and prevention around Trauma, Addictions, Eating Disorders, and Concurrent Mental Health issues and have included valued roles such as:
Supporting experiential knowledge and volunteer skills, Formal Education includes a Master's Degree in Counselling (MAC), a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Social Sciences from the University of Victoria in Biopsychology and Para-Linguistics, and Post-Graduate Training and Certifications in my areas of practice. My training history is available on an external page at Education, Training, and Professional Competencies. A key aspect of Post-graduate training for me has been in developing specialized knowledge and skills in the Treatment of Trauma and Eating Disorders through the renowned Eating Disorder organization, The International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals. Professional training and membership with IAEDP™ has allowed me to realize a longtime goal of being able to support individuals and families seeking recovery from an eating disorder in a safe, informed, and professional manner. This training includes the treatment of children, youth, families, and adults and includes:
In addition to completing the above training with IAEDP™, I have acquired over 1000-Direct Supervised hours (540 IAEDP™ CEDS; 550+ Private Supervision). On-going professional development includes training and certifications with BC Children's Hospital, AED, IAEDP, and Dare to Fuel for supporting Athletes, Coaches, and their Team Members around Disordered Eating and Eating Disorders. As a Registered Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC) with the CCPA, I participate in Consultation and 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, gardening, 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 and paddling with my family and Canine Companion, Ash (Ashy). As a therapist, I encourage clients to develop a relationship with Nature as a way of soothing mind and body, and enhancing interoceptive awareness as a way of creating a fuller, more embodied connection to Self and the incredible world around us. Nature invites us to be ourselves, helps us ground, regulate, and refresh. And, we are never alone in Nature! Welcome Co-therapist, Ash!In August of 2019, 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 more regularly soon!
To learn more about the link between nature and positive mental health I invite you read the September 2022 article, How nature nurtures: Amygdala activity decreases as the result of a one-hour walk in nature. Or, earlier articles on the benefits of nature for mental health by Rob Jordan, posted in Stanford University News (2015) and "30 Days Wild" (2016), by Richardson, Cormack, McRobert, and Underhill. When it comes to nature and the well-being of animals and others, Elemental Psychotherapy is happy to provide on-going support to local community organizations such as Critteraid Animal Sanctuary, the Summerland Food Bank, and local BCSPCA. If you have questions, would like to book a free consultation, contact me at [email protected], 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