About
Michelle (she/her) is returning to offering counselling and psychotherapy after a lengthy pause and is doing so with the support of a clinical supervisor. She completed a Master of Education in Counselling Psychology degree at the University of Alberta. She was a registered psychologist in Edmonton who co-owned a private practice, worked at the U of A Hospital in the Hepatitis Support Program, and was in various roles over 10 years at the Sexual Assault Centre of Edmonton.
She supports clients in connecting with their sense of self, internal resources, and discerning personal experiences from systemic or structural ones. Considering the many social locations we hold, Michelle centres intersectionality and naming power dynamics that may be present in the tensions being explored.
Michelle is dedicated to creating a space of safety, connection, and belonging where clients can feel heard and explore their lived experiences without judgment. Her approach is compassionate, curious, and deeply respectful of the unique knowledge each person brings to the process.
Michelle offers individual therapy and may be booked for phone or video sessions.
About our process
Liminal spaces are the uncertain transitions from where we’ve been to where we’re going. Michelle believes that the space between the many parts that make up who we are is full of healing wisdom. Connecting with this wisdom helps us to live with presence and connection.
Counselling and psychotherapy can help to build connection with and understanding about how to access these internal resources. When we are rooted in safety, connection, and belonging within ourselves, this supports nourishing relationships with family, friends, and community.
Through Michelle’s focus on pacing set by the client and checking in with felt senses, she supports individuals in making the invisible visible. When the thoughts and feelings that trouble us are visible or known, we can tend to them.
About Michelle
Michelle (she/her) is returning to offering counselling and psychotherapy after a lengthy pause and is doing so with the support of a clinical supervisor. She completed a Master of Education in Counselling Psychology degree at the University of Alberta. She was a registered psychologist in Edmonton who co-owned a private practice, worked at the U of A Hospital in the Hepatitis Support Program, and was in various roles over 10 years at the Sexual Assault Centre of Edmonton. She supports clients in connecting with their sense of self, internal resources, and discerning personal experiences from systemic or structural ones. Michelle is dedicated to creating a space of safety, connection, and belonging where clients can feel heard and explore their lived experiences without judgment. Her approach is compassionate, curious, and deeply respectful of the unique knowledge each person brings to the process.
Michelle offers individual therapy and may be booked for phone or video sessions.
About the process
Liminal spaces are the uncertain transitions from where we’ve been to where we’re going. Michelle believes that the space between the many parts that make up who we are is full of healing wisdom. Connecting with this wisdom helps us to live with presence and connection.
Counselling and psychotherapy can help to build connection with and understanding about how to access these internal resources. When we are rooted in safety, connection, and belonging within ourselves, this supports nourishing relationships with family, friends, and community.
Through Michelle’s focus on pacing set by the client and checking in with body cues, she supports individuals in making the invisible visible. When the thoughts and feelings that trouble us are visible or known, we can tend to them.
Focus Areas
HOW I CAN HELP
Experience
- 2025 – Sensorimotor Psychotherapy for the Treatment of Trauma (alumni support team with Marie Damsgaard, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Institute)
- 2023 – Cultivating Safe Spaces Certified Facilitator – Train the Trainer (Elaine Alec / Naqsmist Storytellers)
- 2022 – Communal Consultation for Bodies of Culture (Education for Racial Equity with Resmaa Menakem)
- 2022 – Foundations in Somatic Abolitionism for Bodies of Culture (Education for Racial Equity with Resmaa Menakem)
- 2009 – Introduction to Non-Violent Communication (Eric Bowers)
- 2008 – Fresh Start Program: Living Beyond Alcohol and Drugs (16th Annual David Berman Memorial Concurrent Disorders Conference)
- 2008 – Sandplay Therapy Training Module #5: The Mother Archetype and The Feminine Archetype (Sylvia Simonyi-Elmer, Ph.D.)
- 2007 – Sandplay Therapy Training Module #4: Masculine Archetype (Sylvia Simonyi-Elmer, Ph.D.)
- 2007 – Trauma Treatment Training Modules 7 & 8 (Kekuni Minton, Ph.D., Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Institute)
- 2007 – Trauma Treatment Training Modules 5 & 6 (32 hours, September 2007, Jaci Hull, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Institute)
- 2007 – Sandplay Therapy Training Module #3: Play Therapy and Sandplay Therapy (16 hours, June 2007, Sylvia Simonyi-Elmer, Ph.D.)
- 2007 – Trauma Treatment Training Modules 3 & 4 (32 hours, June 2007, Deirdre Fay, LICSW, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Institute)
- 2007 – Using Emotion to Transform Relationships: Emotionally Focused Therapy (6 hours, May 2007, Sue Johnson, Ph.D.)
- 2007 – Trauma Treatment Training Modules 1 & 2 (32 hours, May 2007, Pat Ogden, Ph.D., Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Institute)
- 2007 – Sandplay Therapy Training Module #2: Exploring the Elements (16 hours, March 2007, Sylvia Simonyi-Elmer, Ph.D.)
- 2006 – Critical Incident Stress Management: Advanced Crisis Intervention (14 hours, November 2006, Bob van Goethem)
- 2006 – Sandplay Therapy Training Module #1: Introduction to Jungian and Sandplay Theory (16 hours, October 2006, Sylvia Simonyi-Elmer, Ph.D.)
- 2006 – Critical Incident Stress Management: Group Crisis Intervention (14 hours, September 2006, Bob van Goethem)
- 2006 – Sexuality Issues in Your Practice (6.5 hours, March 2006, Stephen Levine, M.D.)
- 2006 – Trauma and the Body: Integrating Cognitive and Somatic Approaches in the Treatment of Trauma (13 hours, February 2006, Pat Ogden, Ph.D.)
- 2005 – A Collaborative Community Approach to Sexual Assault (10 hours, December 2005, Edmonton Police Service and Sexual Assault Centre of Edmonton)
- 2005 – Attachment Across the Lifespan: Play Therapy Approaches to Assessment and Treatment (5 day pre-conference training–35 hours; main conference training–12 hours; 3 day intensive advanced training–21 hours, October/November 2005, Rocky Mountain Play Therapy Institute)
- 2005 – Addiction: Harm Reduction in Practice: Therapy and Self-Control (6.5 hours, May 2005, Stanton Peele, Ph.D.)
- 2005 – Client-Directed, Outcome-Informed Therapy (6 hours, January 2005, Scott D. Miller, Ph.D.)
- 2004 – Dissociation Training Seminar (Part III, 5 hours, March 2004, Calgary Women’s Health Collective)
- 2004 – Accessing the Divine (15 hours, February 2004, Jon Eisman, Hakomi)
- 2004 – Dissociation Training Seminar (Part II, 5 hours, January 2004, Calgary Women’s Health Collective)
- 2004 – Suicide Intervention Training (14 hours, January 2004, Bosco Homes)
- 2003 – Dissociation: A Most Common Phenomenon (Part I, 5 hours, November 2003, Calgary Women’s Health Collective)
- 2003 – Breaking Barriers Through Education: A Sexual Diversity Workshop (3 hours, June 2003, AIDS Calgary)
- 2003 – Introduction to Theraplay (28 hours, March, Evangeline Munns, Ph.D.)
- 2003 – Zero to Six Conference: Raising Resilient Children (14 hours, March 2003)
- 2002 – Trauma, Dissociation & Attachment Workshop (21 hours, June 2002, Vancouver Trauma Trt. Assoc.)
- 2002 – Sexual Orientation Issues in Health Care (7 hours, May 2002, CPA Pre-Conference Workshop, Randy Paterson, Ph.D.)
- 2002 – Introductory Hakomi Workshop: Embracing Resistance (15 hours, February 2002, Beth Falch-Nielsen)
- 2001 – On the Tail of the Dragon 3: Bessel Van Der Kolk (15 hours, December 2001)
- 2001 – Introductory Hypnosis Workshop (20 hours, May 2001, Cdn. Society of Clinical Hypnosis-AB Div.)
- 1999 – Sexual Assault Centre Volunteer Training (50 hours, September-October 1999)
Experience.
CONTRIBUTING
Appointments and Involvement
Present Board Appointments
Chase and Area Farmers Institute (Founding Member)
Foodlands Cooperative of BC
NewStories North (Founding Member)
Thompson Nicola Regional District Ag Advisory Committee
Past Board Appointments
Certified Organic Associations of BC (now Organic BC)
North Okanagan Organic Association
Food Action Society of the North Okanagan
College of Alberta Psychologists – Credentials Evaluation Committee
Community Involvement
Coaching
Skmana Bunnyrabbits & Jackrabbits XC skiing
T-ball
Events
Wild Salmon Caravan
Lindy in the Loops
“Nourishing safety, connection, and belonging within ourselves transforms how we show up in life and in relation to family, friends, and community.”
– L. Michelle Tsutsumi
“Nourishing safety, connection, and belonging within ourselves transforms how we show up in life and in relation to family, friends, and community.”
– L. Michelle Tsutsumi