Education and Learning Disabilities Therapists in Victoria, BC

Hi! I’m Dr. Michelle. I am a Registered Psychologist with a PhD in Counselling Psychology from the University of Calgary. I completed my residency in Los Angeles, California where I supervised doctoral students in addition to providing psychotherapy. My practice focuses on people managing: depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and chronic health conditions. I also provide couple therapy. Lastly, I conduct psychoeducational assessments for suspected/confirmed learning disorders and ADHD for children 8-years and older and adults.

I offer psycho-educational and neuropsychological assessments primarily for children to young adults. I specialize in learning disorders, ADHD, executive function challenges, as well as the impact of complex developmental and neurological issues on learning and behavior. I do not provide diagnostic assessments for Autism Spectrum Disorders, however I believe that a comprehensive assessment to outline how an individual on the spectrum learns best can be extremely helpful.

I provide psychological, psycho-educational and neuropsychological assessments for children, youth and adults. An assessment can be useful in order to understand the nature of an individual's learning needs, certain behaviours, and/or emotional challenges. It can provide specific diagnoses (e.g. ADHD, Specific Learning Disabilities, Anxiety), or simply help to identify a person's strengths and any weaknesses. Ultimately, the goal of an assessment is to make recommendations that will promote wellbeing and help an individual to be successful. In addition to assessments, I also offer some individual therapy and parenting support.

Is your child struggling at school? Are teachers raising concerns that they may have a learning issue, or attention problems, or other issues that are interfering with their ability to be successful at school? Or is your child showing signs of emotional issues, and you wonder if it's normal or whether it might be something more serious, like depression, an anxiety disorder, or distorted thinking?

Positive Kids is a provider of holistic ADHD treatment for children and their families. We are the creators of a unique model called "LEPS." Our model tackles the complications associated with ADHD with a very high success rate. The acronym stands for LEARNING, EMOTIONAL, PARENTING, SOCIAL skills. We begin by assessing your child’s ADHD symptoms before we go into a more in-depth discovery of what your child’s individual needs are. Once we have determined the initial requirements, we set up a schedule for you & your child, breaking down each part of the program.

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.

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.

LGBTQ2IAS+ and disability friendly- I am a trauma-informed, person-centered counsellor, viewing my clients as the experts in the room and collaborating with them to discover the research-based approaches and tools that best suit their needs. My clients view my therapy sessions as a safe space where they feel comfortable letting go of painful emotions and past traumas. I see both individual clients and couples

I am particularly passionate about child advocacy, building confidence, self-worth and social skills and working with the LGBTQ2SI+ community. I am experienced in supporting families and children with navigating school challenges such as social and emotional regulation, separation anxiety, academic strategies for learning, Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) and teacher and school staff collaboration. I am well-informed in the areas of anxiety, depression, self-harm, attention difficulties, neurodivergence, child abuse, and trauma.

Life can throw challenges our way that feel overwhelming and unmanageable. Coming to a realization that we could use help, and seeking a therapist are big steps. The therapeutic relationship offers a unique space to look at and discuss deeply personal content in a safe, non-judgmental environment. It can feel like a big risk to open up about our struggles. I encourage anyone seeking therapy to search for a therapist that they feel comfortable with. I believe it is my job to foster trust and safety so that we can work through difficult feelings. From my perspective, there is no definitive ranking of problems.

Welcome! I'm glad you're here. Taking the first steps in seeking therapy can be intimidating, and finding the right therapist can be challenging, I am here to help! Are you feeling overwhelmed with anxiety, struggling with self-esteem, or feeling disconnected from your emotions? Perhaps your child is facing behavioural or social issues at school. Through art therapy, we express emotions that words may fail to capture. No artistic ability is needed; it's about exploring emotions through art-making. My client-centred approach respects diverse backgrounds, creating a safe space to explore all your feelings and narratives.

You've already taken your first step, looking for help! Nice work. I work with clients of all ages. I enjoy, hiking, snorkeling, studying local wildlife, and being on the water in my spare time. I also have lived in experience in agriculture and have a realistic understanding of the stressors related to the field. Together, we'll explore tangible ways to start gaining momentum. There are likely already some things you've been doing that work well for you.

What a time we are all having right now! How are you doing? Something is bothering you – which is why you’re here. You have a lot going on, time is something that you have no problem filling, in fact, slowing down & quieting your constantly moving brain can pose a challenge. Maybe you’re concerned about your child; you thought it was going to get better, but it hasn’t & now you worry it’s going to get worse. You need help. You want solutions – for yourself, your child/teen & your family. You’ve consulted family, friends, Oprah & your Instagram feed & you’ve run out of ideas. It’s time for a change.

Are you feeling overwhelmed, lost or stuck in a holding pattern? I offer a safe supportive approach to help you explore the underlying meaning of your concerns regarding anxiety, depression, life transitions, trauma, loss of meaning, issues around spirituality and addictions. After twenty years of working with people through creativity-based processes as a workshop facilitator and now more recently as a therapist I've seen that the creative process is a living thing in the human psyche and that each of us has deep resources to help us heal. Together we'll rediscover these vital restorative resources within you.

We provide community-based psychology and counselling sessions in the Greater Victoria area. Have you been looking to get started with counselling? We offer individual sessions for adults and teens ages 12+ with Registered Psychologists (RPsych) and Registered Clinical Counsellors (RCC). We are also offering reduced rate $20 sessions with our Master's level practicum students. In person and online sessions available. Weekday, weekend, and evening appointments are available. NEW: Now with two locations at Fairfield Psychology and Oak Bay Psychology.

Does your life feel out of balance? Do you struggle to slow down? Are anger or sadness too present in your life? Is your child or teen struggling and you just don’t know how to help them? You are not alone. With 20 years of mental health counselling experience, I can confidently offer you a safe, and supportive space in which to explore and work through challenges. Sometimes we all hold on to issues longer than we need too - but in the context of a healthy therapeutic relationship, it is amazing how much healing can take place. When you feel ready, please reach out.

Parenting (or caregiving) is one of the most important jobs you've taken on. But the person you're caring for is going through some tough stuff, and the two of you aren't getting along. You're beating yourself up, because you keep screwing up your job, when all you want to do is help. You might even be coping with your own issues, in addition to helping them with theirs. You're scared of the future, and sometimes angry at the person you are caring for. You're lonely and even burnt out, because others don't understand.

We’re all born into systems and socially constructed narratives that impact us, and unravelling your story within those systems and narratives makes space to rewrite it. I want to empower you to tell your story, now and in the future, despite whatever boxes the world tries to put you in. By creating the building blocks of radical self-acceptance through self-reflection and self-discovery, we can explore alternative perspectives to constructing new meanings and possibilities. This process can help you expand your thinking, challenge self-limiting beliefs, and develop more flexible and adaptive ways of thinking and being.

Sometimes life throws us a curve ball that we have a difficult time managing on our own. The good new is we don't have to. You have taking the first step. I know it can sometimes feel like there’s no way out and this is just the way you are, but I’m here to tell you, it’s not and there is. Together we are going to work to breakthrough the things that have been bringing you down, getting in your way, and holding you back –Collaboratively, we will work to help you gain the skills and confidence needed to live your best life possible. I am committed to providing a safe, non-judgemental counselling experience.