Michelle McElroy

Hello! I’m Michelle

About Me

I became interested in working with children and youth at the age of 16.  At this age I found there was not many people for youth to speak to that they could really trust.  I decided I wanted to be one of these people.  

I originally took my training from the University of Victoria, gaining my Bachelor of Social Work and completed a minor in psychology.  After having two beautiful daughters I finished my Master’s of Counselling Psychology, which I received in 2013 from Athabasca University.  From here I completed a post graduate degree in Art Therapy at the Vancouver Art Therapy Institute and a degree in Trauma Sensitive Yoga from the Trauma Institute in Boston.  During my master’s, I completed a year long practicum as a mental health counsellor for Child and Youth Mental Health (CYMH) in Penticton. This practicum allowed me to provide service to youth, individually and in groups, who were experiencing concerns regarding anxiety, depression, stress, suicidal ideation, grief and loss and parent-teen conflict.  During my year long practicum at the Eating Disorder Clinic in Kelowna, I worked with youth, 12-24, in a counselling setting.  I also designed and ran two group programs using art therapy and yoga.  The first program, Courage to Connect, was used to build self-esteem and the second program, Becoming You Again, was used to challenge disordered eating patterns.  Both programs are still being used at the Eating Disorder Clinic and Courage to Connect is being used at CYMH in Penticton.

 During my years working with children and youth I have completed training in suicide assessment – ASIST training, expressive and play therapy at the Justice Institute, addictions training for youth, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and attachment theory. I have facilitated groups for all ages, including the Connect Education Parenting Program and Emotion-focused Family Therapy for parents and loved ones of people with eating disorders.

In addition to being experienced in a diverse set of counselling techniques and mindfulness skills, I have both trauma informed and trauma sensitive yoga training including being a yoga facilitator for Yoga Outreach.  Before leaving the Okanagan, I had worked as a yoga instructor and started my certification in Eat, Breathe, Thrive; a yoga therapy group for disordered eating.  

Lifelong learning is important to me and I am constantly looking for educational opportunities.  After completing the required training, I am looking forward to completing the clinical hours needed to become a Registered EMDR therapist.  At the present time, I am pursuing an Eating Disorder Masterclass, and hoping to further my knowledge in Play Therapy so I can offer my clients a wider array of techniques to facilitate change.

My family and I have recently moved to Victoria, and I love being outside and walking in nature and along the ocean with my dog, Bella.  As I build my new life here on the Island, I hope to continue my passion of working with children and youth, to help them find the strength inside of them to continue to move forward.  I am so excited to start my practice here on the Island.

I am thrilled to have the opportunity to meet you and look forward to exploring and facilitating your hope for the future!