Michelle Gibson

The past throws stones to the present, and that is what brings many people to therapy. I believe we all have the capacity to heal, but often, our own story can get in the way of that healing. If this is your first time seeking out a therapist or if you’ve done this before, I hope to work alongside you at your pace and collaborate to make a plan that addresses your needs. As a practicing Psychotherapist and Registered Social Worker (OCSWSSW), my goal is to create a space from which you feel safe to explore what is holding you back from the life you would like to be living. My practice is guided by the hope of offering you a space for healing in a judgment-free and open setting. When we are offered the space for connection, our system can open up to explore parts of ourselves that are otherwise blocked by defences, pleasing and performance. I would be honoured to hold this space with you.

I work with most concerns that bring someone to counselling, including stress, trauma, identity, grief and loss, anxiety and transitions along the life course. If your story includes parts that feel unfinished, burdened or stuck, then I am likely a good fit for you. I work collaboratively with my clients exclusively from an Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapy (Certified IFS Therapist, Level 3 and advanced training) and Somatic Therapy perspective. This means that therapy most often involves working to explore what is happening inside rather than focusing on what is happening around you in your life. While somatic-oriented IFS is my main model of use, I am privileged to have knowledge of and experience in many other models that can be used to assist us in the therapeutic process, such as EMDR, Emotion-Focused Therapy, and Mindfulness.

In addition to psychotherapy, I value working with other professionals and businesses through supervision, consultation and teaching. I offer clinical supervision, regularly facilitate workshops throughout Canada and consult with organizations. I offer clinical supervision to new and experienced clinicians who resonate with my approach and experience. I also enjoy working with organizations to collaborate on addressing issues, including burnout and team dynamics, and to support their business growth. I also develop and teach workshops on a number of topics, including psychotherapy models, trauma-focused care, and topics related to ethics and professional practice. At G & A, I’m proud to be part of a dynamic team of trauma-informed therapists who collaborate on shared ideals for practice while offering unique specialty areas—a supportive community built people-first. If you are curious about any of these services, please contact me.