ABOUT MICHELLE
Every culture has a story or mythology that answers basic questions of what it means to be human. Who am I? What is my purpose? Today's dominant culture answers these question with a "story of separation". You are separate from me, and we are separate from our true nature and the nature that surrounds us. The story that dominates us is in crisis. We are in crisis. We no longer fully believe in the pillars and foundations of the old story.
Within this environment, past and present, many of us experience trauma as a result of this story. Trauma may have occurred as a single event, or multiple events over a long period of time. It is not the event itself; it is what happens inside of you as a result of traumatic events. It’s a loss of connection to oneself and to the present moment. Trauma is not only personal it is historical, cultural and trans-generational and can cause great disruption in all areas of our lives and influence our behaviour in our attachments to family, friends and workplace colleagues.
Our learned behaviour, as a result of trauma, creates a number of methods (strategies) to cope with everyday life. We are programmed to look good regardless of how we feel. We learn to deny or justify our feelings, adding to the complexity of normal life challenges and disrupting our capacity for joy.
My practice focuses on the release of ourselves from inherited family behaviours, cultural effects, and adaptive responses to life experiences that no longer serve us; moving towards a truer reflection and acceptance of who we really are. My commitment is to join with you on a journey to co-create and collaborate in the creation of a new story, one of self-care and compassion with yourself, those around you, and nature. My well-being is interconnected to your well-being and our well-being is connected to nature. This journey is holistic, and my contribution includes knowledge and experience that will move us out of crisis, away from the story of separation, and into a world of greater understanding, connection, and joy, towards a new story of belonging or a more beautiful world our hearts know is possible.
Professional Experience:
Over 30 years of experience supporting a variety of individuals, groups and community-based organizations including; women, couples, LGBTQ2+, polyamorous, Indigenous peoples, individuals and families new to Canada.
My approach is an intuitive process drawing from diverse philosophical, spiritual and practical methods of healing. These include; Compassionate Inquiry (CI), Compassionate Communication (formally Non-Violent Communication), Relational Cultural Theory (RCT) and Internal Family Systems Theory (IFS).
Educational and Professional Affiliations
Baccalaureate of Social Work, University of Regina - Registered Social Worker # 3128
Masters of Adult and Continuing Education, University of Saskatchewan Project:
Education of Women: Learning Through Experiences of Violence and Trauma
Certified Life Coach
Compassionate Inquiry Masters Professional
Associated and Professional Training
Compassionate Inquiry Workshop, Winnipeg 2019
Hello Again: A Fresh Start for Parents and Their Adult Children, Vancouver 2019
Compassionate Inquiry Leading Edge Workshop, Vancouver 2018
The Treatment of Trauma and the Internal Family Systems (IFS) Model Workshop, Toronto, 2017
IFS online training course, 2016
Science of Connectedness: Introduction to the Polyvagal Theory Work, Saskatoon 2015
Compassionate Communication (formally Non-Violent Communication) study series, Saskatoon 2013-2016
Pêyâhtakêyimowin Walking peacefully on Mother Earth, Saskatoon 2013
Bio spiritual Focusing, Level 1 and 2, Ancient Spirals, 2012
Women Building Our Community Capacity, Saskatoon 2011
International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ISTSS), Montreal, Quebec 2010
Augmented Experience
Citizen of Metis Nation of Saskatchewan
Member of Steephill Co-operative, Saskatoon
Member of the Vegetarian/Vegan Community
Insight Meditation Saskatoon
Yoga practice