Autism Therapists in V9B
I am also experienced in navigating the Autism world and Autism Funding System in BC, and therefore love to support parents and children in that realm.
My passion is to support neurodiverse and any children/youth who are just trying to grow up and figure out life in their own unique way. We are all complex and different, so I strive to honor that along with build upon our own strengths. No one is perfect, but there is always room to grow. If we can build these tools early, what is more fulfilling than seeing our young ones find their true selves and flourish to their full potential? Let's cultivate resilient souls, in a harsh world. I additionally love to support parents who just want the best for their children, along with anyone trying to find their way through this life journey.
I am also experienced in navigating the Autism world and Autism Funding System in BC, and therefore love to support parents and children in that realm.
My passion is to support neurodiverse and any children/youth who are just trying to grow up and figure out life in their own unique way. We are all complex and different, so I strive to honor that along with build upon our own strengths. No one is perfect, but there is always room to grow. If we can build these tools early, what is more fulfilling than seeing our young ones find their true selves and flourish to their full potential? Let's cultivate resilient souls, in a harsh world. I additionally love to support parents who just want the best for their children, along with anyone trying to find their way through this life journey.
Now accepting new clients. My focus areas: LGBTQIA+ support, ADHD & Autism, ENM, polyamory, BDSM/kink, and climate anxiety. I'm queer and neurodiverse and I work with individuals, couples, and polycules. Clients say my approach combining traditional talk therapy with somatic/body-focused techniques helped them feel better even in the first session. My clients are often people who have already tried a million different ways to manage a particular challenge in their lives and are now feeling stuck and not sure what to do next. I work from an anti-capitalist, anti-oppressive, and trauma-informed foundation.
Now accepting new clients. My focus areas: LGBTQIA+ support, ADHD & Autism, ENM, polyamory, BDSM/kink, and climate anxiety. I'm queer and neurodiverse and I work with individuals, couples, and polycules. Clients say my approach combining traditional talk therapy with somatic/body-focused techniques helped them feel better even in the first session. My clients are often people who have already tried a million different ways to manage a particular challenge in their lives and are now feeling stuck and not sure what to do next. I work from an anti-capitalist, anti-oppressive, and trauma-informed foundation.
At our three MindKey Health locations (Downtown Victoria, Westshore, and Sidney) we provide psychoeducational, autism, and adult ADHD assessments. We also provide counselling and coaching services on a variety of issues to a broad spectrum of clients. Children, teens, and adults are all welcome in the MindKey Health offices.
At our three MindKey Health locations (Downtown Victoria, Westshore, and Sidney) we provide psychoeducational, autism, and adult ADHD assessments. We also provide counselling and coaching services on a variety of issues to a broad spectrum of clients. Children, teens, and adults are all welcome in the MindKey Health offices.
I understand clients have challenges that they would like support with navigating through. They need a counsellor who is non-judgmental, compassionate, and safe. Typically, client's goals revolve around achieving more self-awareness, skills, and abilities to help themselves live a meaningful life. I want to facilitate their passion about growth and creating lifestyles that support their values and goals. I support neurodiverse clients through affirming care, utilize strengths to help with growing edges, and understand that many underlying challenges are the result of societal expectations.
I understand clients have challenges that they would like support with navigating through. They need a counsellor who is non-judgmental, compassionate, and safe. Typically, client's goals revolve around achieving more self-awareness, skills, and abilities to help themselves live a meaningful life. I want to facilitate their passion about growth and creating lifestyles that support their values and goals. I support neurodiverse clients through affirming care, utilize strengths to help with growing edges, and understand that many underlying challenges are the result of societal expectations.
Every person has inherent strengths, abilities, and knowledge; however, when life gets challenging, we could all use a non-judgmental guide to partner with, to find goal-oriented solutions. I have extensive experience helping adults who are struggling with heartbreak (separation/divorce), lower mood, feeling anxious and/or using substances more than they would like, combined with a passion for working with neurodiversity and people with disabilities or life changing diagnoses. I value working with those who served in the military or emergency services including police, fire, and ambulance.
Every person has inherent strengths, abilities, and knowledge; however, when life gets challenging, we could all use a non-judgmental guide to partner with, to find goal-oriented solutions. I have extensive experience helping adults who are struggling with heartbreak (separation/divorce), lower mood, feeling anxious and/or using substances more than they would like, combined with a passion for working with neurodiversity and people with disabilities or life changing diagnoses. I value working with those who served in the military or emergency services including police, fire, and ambulance.
Let’s face it: life can sometimes feel like trying to fold a fitted sheet—awkward, frustrating, and no matter what you do, those corners just won’t match up. If you're neurodiverse, navigating this already chaotic world can feel like an extreme sport without protective gear. That’s where I come in. I'm Miki, and I specialize in helping adults with ADHD, ASD, and those within the queer and trans communities. Everyone deserves to have a space where they can be themselves. I'll be your co-pilot, guiding you through the turbulence with a sense of humor and a warm, non-judgmental space where you can unfold into your most authentic self.
Let’s face it: life can sometimes feel like trying to fold a fitted sheet—awkward, frustrating, and no matter what you do, those corners just won’t match up. If you're neurodiverse, navigating this already chaotic world can feel like an extreme sport without protective gear. That’s where I come in. I'm Miki, and I specialize in helping adults with ADHD, ASD, and those within the queer and trans communities. Everyone deserves to have a space where they can be themselves. I'll be your co-pilot, guiding you through the turbulence with a sense of humor and a warm, non-judgmental space where you can unfold into your most authentic self.
By addressing troubling thoughts and feelings, self-sabotaging behaviors, and traumas, life can be made more manageable, productive, and fulfilling. Feelings such as grief, shame, anxiety, sadness, and anger often signal that something needs to change. Listening to and working with these feelings—some that consume us and others that gently nudge us—can move us forward. Through this, we sometimes discover that our everyday dilemmas are part of larger patterns waiting to be resolved as a whole.
By addressing troubling thoughts and feelings, self-sabotaging behaviors, and traumas, life can be made more manageable, productive, and fulfilling. Feelings such as grief, shame, anxiety, sadness, and anger often signal that something needs to change. Listening to and working with these feelings—some that consume us and others that gently nudge us—can move us forward. Through this, we sometimes discover that our everyday dilemmas are part of larger patterns waiting to be resolved as a whole.
As a neurodivergent and highly sensitive person, I understand what it is like to experience the world with greater intensity. My person-centered approach situates the client as their own expert, with myself as the guide towards a variety of counselling goals such as increased self-awareness and insight, building a toolkit of skills or unlearning maladaptive ways of feeling, thinking and responding. Utilizing mindfulness, somatic, cognitive, emotionally focused, dialectical behavioral, harm-reduction and narrative techniques, I strive to help clients 10 and up regain agency through acceptance and management.
As a neurodivergent and highly sensitive person, I understand what it is like to experience the world with greater intensity. My person-centered approach situates the client as their own expert, with myself as the guide towards a variety of counselling goals such as increased self-awareness and insight, building a toolkit of skills or unlearning maladaptive ways of feeling, thinking and responding. Utilizing mindfulness, somatic, cognitive, emotionally focused, dialectical behavioral, harm-reduction and narrative techniques, I strive to help clients 10 and up regain agency through acceptance and management.
Accepting New Clients. Do you feel like you’ve tried to make change in your life but you keep hitting the same walls? You have so much you want to do, but it can be hard to know where to start. Stress, anxiety and depression-whether they show up as a trio, or one takes centre stage-can rob you of sleep, damage your relationships and make it hard to function at home, work, or school. If you struggle with family or other relationships or are overwhelmed by school or your career, you can begin to feel powerless to create a better life. I can help you consider different solutions and find new ways of looking at the challenges you face.
Accepting New Clients. Do you feel like you’ve tried to make change in your life but you keep hitting the same walls? You have so much you want to do, but it can be hard to know where to start. Stress, anxiety and depression-whether they show up as a trio, or one takes centre stage-can rob you of sleep, damage your relationships and make it hard to function at home, work, or school. If you struggle with family or other relationships or are overwhelmed by school or your career, you can begin to feel powerless to create a better life. I can help you consider different solutions and find new ways of looking at the challenges you face.
Are you feeling alone, isolated or stuck in a pattern of thinking that doesn't serve you well? These feelings can happen in close or difficult relationships, friendships, at work or school or from the loss of a loved one. Often, not establishing boundaries, where we can confidently be heard, can leave us feeling frustrated, misunderstood and alone. These continued feelings can compound, affecting us physically, mentally and spiritually, If you are looking for a clear path forward to more meaningful connections, we can work together, to gather tools essential for creating the changes you would like to see in your life.
Are you feeling alone, isolated or stuck in a pattern of thinking that doesn't serve you well? These feelings can happen in close or difficult relationships, friendships, at work or school or from the loss of a loved one. Often, not establishing boundaries, where we can confidently be heard, can leave us feeling frustrated, misunderstood and alone. These continued feelings can compound, affecting us physically, mentally and spiritually, If you are looking for a clear path forward to more meaningful connections, we can work together, to gather tools essential for creating the changes you would like to see in your life.
Founder and Registered Clinical Counsellor of Pediatric Power Play. The clients I serve are typically between the ages of 3 and 19. However, I work from a family systems lens, which operates on creating consistency and allowing my clients to include their parents or have separate therapeutic relationships with them. The needs and goals of each client vary between building confidence, emotional regulation, coping strategies, relationships, and so much more. One thing in common for all my clients is allowing them space to explore and navigate to find their identity and support them in accomplishing any change.
Founder and Registered Clinical Counsellor of Pediatric Power Play. The clients I serve are typically between the ages of 3 and 19. However, I work from a family systems lens, which operates on creating consistency and allowing my clients to include their parents or have separate therapeutic relationships with them. The needs and goals of each client vary between building confidence, emotional regulation, coping strategies, relationships, and so much more. One thing in common for all my clients is allowing them space to explore and navigate to find their identity and support them in accomplishing any change.
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As a therapist, I believe in being authentically human, honoring where you are, and providing a safe space for you to feel seen, heard, and understood. I'm here to hold room for all of you. The messy bits are just as welcome as the put together parts.
As a therapist, I believe in being authentically human, honoring where you are, and providing a safe space for you to feel seen, heard, and understood. I'm here to hold room for all of you. The messy bits are just as welcome as the put together parts.
Michelle McElroy
Counsellor, MA:CP, RCC, RSW, BCATR, BCRPT
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Victoria, BC V9B
Waitlist for new clients
Children, youth and young adults, who are dealing with past or present trauma with PTSD or c-PTSD symptoms that include flashbacks, nightmares, avoidance, anxiety, and sleep problems and disociative symptoms. I also work with depression, aggression or mood swings and disordered eating.
Children, youth and young adults, who are dealing with past or present trauma with PTSD or c-PTSD symptoms that include flashbacks, nightmares, avoidance, anxiety, and sleep problems and disociative symptoms. I also work with depression, aggression or mood swings and disordered eating.
Welcome! First, I'd like to commend you on taking the first step toward finding a new counsellor - I know the experience can be overwhelming. If you are feeling lost and alone, I am here to help. You may be struggling to connect in your relationships, feeling disconnected from everything around you, grappling with intense emotions, looking to process difficult experiences, or hoping to learn more coping skills. Whatever you may be working on, I aim to create a safe, non-judgmental space grounded in authenticity, trust, and respect. It would be an honour to walk alongside you on your journey.
Welcome! First, I'd like to commend you on taking the first step toward finding a new counsellor - I know the experience can be overwhelming. If you are feeling lost and alone, I am here to help. You may be struggling to connect in your relationships, feeling disconnected from everything around you, grappling with intense emotions, looking to process difficult experiences, or hoping to learn more coping skills. Whatever you may be working on, I aim to create a safe, non-judgmental space grounded in authenticity, trust, and respect. It would be an honour to walk alongside you on your journey.
Currently Accepting Clients! - Are you an LGBTQ2SIA+ identifying person needing help with anxiety, depression, neurodivergence, or trauma? Are you trying to find your sexuality or gender identity? I am a disabled polyamorous, transgender woman (and general queer person) who understands the community and our experiences in the world. In my practice, I primarily counsel LGBTQ2+ people (and couples) who are finding their path and resolving trauma. I also offer regular DBT Skills Groups, which have been very helpful for many people.
Currently Accepting Clients! - Are you an LGBTQ2SIA+ identifying person needing help with anxiety, depression, neurodivergence, or trauma? Are you trying to find your sexuality or gender identity? I am a disabled polyamorous, transgender woman (and general queer person) who understands the community and our experiences in the world. In my practice, I primarily counsel LGBTQ2+ people (and couples) who are finding their path and resolving trauma. I also offer regular DBT Skills Groups, which have been very helpful for many people.
I enjoy meeting my clients where they are at and developing a client directed approach with them. I primarily work with adults on issues such as healthy relationships, anxiety/stress management, and addictions intervention.
I enjoy meeting my clients where they are at and developing a client directed approach with them. I primarily work with adults on issues such as healthy relationships, anxiety/stress management, and addictions intervention.
If you are someone who experiences anxiety and challenges with self esteem on a regular basis, I'm here to support you with increasing your self worth, confidence, and daily balance. I work with my clients on managing their emotional and physiological responses to stress so that they can improve their sense of overall well being. I aim to guide my clients towards a path of empowerment and resilience. Together we will nourish your mind body connection through exploring and gaining understanding of your inner landscapes; ultimately transforming challenges into opportunities for growth.
If you are someone who experiences anxiety and challenges with self esteem on a regular basis, I'm here to support you with increasing your self worth, confidence, and daily balance. I work with my clients on managing their emotional and physiological responses to stress so that they can improve their sense of overall well being. I aim to guide my clients towards a path of empowerment and resilience. Together we will nourish your mind body connection through exploring and gaining understanding of your inner landscapes; ultimately transforming challenges into opportunities for growth.
Racialized adults, trauma-exposed professionals, neurodiverse people, and others. I've noticed a trend... Some people wait as long as they can before getting support, others reach out early, but no one is better off alone. During my time counselling adults, families, and youth, I've seen first-hand how Connection is at the heart of Healing. Trauma can hold us back. Neurodiversity complicates things (like navigating a society not designed with you in mind!). Grief, Loss, and other Life Transitions add extra Stress during trying times. With support, I'm confident you'll find your way forward.
Racialized adults, trauma-exposed professionals, neurodiverse people, and others. I've noticed a trend... Some people wait as long as they can before getting support, others reach out early, but no one is better off alone. During my time counselling adults, families, and youth, I've seen first-hand how Connection is at the heart of Healing. Trauma can hold us back. Neurodiversity complicates things (like navigating a society not designed with you in mind!). Grief, Loss, and other Life Transitions add extra Stress during trying times. With support, I'm confident you'll find your way forward.
Do you wake up in the morning and your anxiety starts to creep in? Do you feel like you have tried everything and you’re losing hope? Are you often triggered emotionally and feel as though you lose control? Do you struggle within your close relationships and wonder “how did I get here?” My approach to therapy is always rooted in compassion and genuine curiosity. I have a mindful and gentle presence, which guides my considerate sensitivity and attunement to each of my clients. Together we can cultivate unique goals and illuminate your wellness path through exploring, connecting, healing, and harnessing strengths.
Do you wake up in the morning and your anxiety starts to creep in? Do you feel like you have tried everything and you’re losing hope? Are you often triggered emotionally and feel as though you lose control? Do you struggle within your close relationships and wonder “how did I get here?” My approach to therapy is always rooted in compassion and genuine curiosity. I have a mindful and gentle presence, which guides my considerate sensitivity and attunement to each of my clients. Together we can cultivate unique goals and illuminate your wellness path through exploring, connecting, healing, and harnessing strengths.
At some point, every family will face challenges. Helping families come together to work through these challenges and promote positive outcomes is my goal. As a registered clinical Counsellor (RCC), I aim to help children, youth, and their families connect in new and meaningful ways.
At some point, every family will face challenges. Helping families come together to work through these challenges and promote positive outcomes is my goal. As a registered clinical Counsellor (RCC), I aim to help children, youth, and their families connect in new and meaningful ways.
See more therapy options for V9B
Autism Counsellors
What is the most effective treatment for autism?
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) has come to be considered the standard treatment for children with autism spectrum disorder, and research has confirmed its effectiveness for many children. Therapists trained in ABA techniques work with children (and their parents) on developing social skills, communication and learning abilities, and everyday habits of hygiene and grooming. The clinician will tailor their program to the child’s particular need but the overarching goal will be to help them advance as far as possible toward independence based on their level of symptoms and decrease the need for additional special services. Families should seek a mental health professional specifically trained in ABA, and holding special certification in the technique, who has extensive experience not only with the approach but in using it with children with the same level of symptoms as the child who needs care.
How does ABA work?
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) sessions, which typically focus on positive reinforcement, can be intensive, lasting two or more hours several times a week, and continuing for two years or more. Therapists can also be expected to ask parents to take an active role in reinforcing lessons. Research has found that the technique can lead to major improvements that decrease the need for additional special services.
How does treatment for autism work?
Therapy sessions based on Applied Behavior Analysis will likely be frequent, intensive, and highly structured. After a thorough assessment, a therapist will help a child understand and develop skills in a range of areas, including communication, motor skills, social skills, self-care, play, and academic skills, as well as routines of daily living like hygiene. Typically, the therapist will help a child break down the components of a behavior—often referred to as the antecedent (what prompts an action), the behavior, and the consequence(what immediately follows)—and then reward the child at every step, while also asking parents to reinforce the lessons, and the rewards, throughout the day. This core therapy may be supplemented by occupational or speech therapy, and antidepressants, antipsychotics, and anticonvulsants may be prescribed to address specific severe symptoms.
How long does therapy for autism take?
Some people with autism spectrum disorder may be engaged in some level of therapy for many years, but research shows that treatment will be most effective if it is begun early and delivered intensively. When therapy begins by age 3, children tend to be better able to grasp and adopt the skills needed to manage everyday life, including attending school and establishing social relationships. This type of early-intervention treatment regimen is highly structured, typically involving 20 to 40 hours of one-on-one therapy per week, along with additional hours of engagement managed by parents, for a period of two years or more, although the duration of treatment is dependent on the child’s level of symptoms and pace of progress.