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ABOUT MICHELLE

The most precious gift we can offer others is our presence.  - Thich Nhat Hanh

Thank you for visiting. Unfortunately, I am not accepting new clients.

 

Welcome and thank you for being here. My name is Michelle Nicholls (she/her) and I am a registered social worker/psychotherapist in private practice, with 17 years of experience dedicated to learning, and growing in community-based health care. As a psychotherapist, I create space for my clients to bravely identify the different challenges that contribute to symptoms that make them feel unwell, or mentally, emotionally, and physically out of balance.

 

My practice prioritizes people who identify as Black, Indigenous, and people of colour, which includes Middles Eastern, South American, Latin American, South Asian, East Asian, Pacific Islanders, and identities whose narratives have been excluded in traditional therapy spaces.  My approach is client-centred and based in anti-oppression, anti-racism, and feminist principles. This also includes social justice frameworks and exploring decolonization of ourselves and traditional therapeutic models. Many people connect with me because they are curious about mindfulness, Dharma, or trauma modalities such as EMDR or Brainspotting. These practices can be liberating for people who feel disconnected from their true self and their potential to live a fuller life. What's most important is that I want you to feel comfortable enough to share, collaborate, and learn during our sessions. 

 

I earned my Bachelor of Social Work from Toronto Metropolitan University, a Masters of Social Work from Dalhousie University, and a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from York University. In addition, I have an Inter-Professional Certificate in Applied Mindfulness Meditation, and I am a graduate of the True North Insight Community Dharma Mentorship program.

I am parent to a super creative child, I love dancing, music, podcasts, bike riding, memoirs, and writing. You can find my writing about grief, trauma, self-compassion, and our interconnectedness, on Substack at Where there is Curiosity


I believe that strong therapeutic relationship starts from a place of warmth, respect, compassion, mindful presence, and curiosity. I look forward to working with you.

I offer virtual therapy, walk and talk therapy, and in-person by request only. I am  pleased to be offering Mindfulness-Based groups at Purple Oak Health.

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LET'S START WHERE YOU ARE AT

HEART, MIND, and BODY

Here is what we can work with:​​

  • anxiety & depression 

  • Complex PTSD

  • parenting challenges

  • cultivating self-compassion

  • boundaries in relationships

  • overcoming codependency

  • difficulty managing stress

  • harm identification and reduction

INDIVIDUAL COUNSELLING and PSYCHOTHERAPY

I provide individual counselling and psychotherapy to youth and adults. There are many approaches we can explore such as talk therapy, EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing), Brainspotting, Internal Family Systems, constructive role playing, and narrative therapy. I believe therapy should be creative and adaptable. Let's find out which approach may be helpful to you.

MINDFULNESS MEDITATION, DHARMA, and SANGHA

I am a dedicated mindfulness meditator, facilitator and student. I have  co-facilitated Mindfulness-Based CBT, and community mindfulness drop-in groups for over 10 years. I use trauma-informed mindfulness with individual clients, creating safety in mind-body connection work. In addition, I am a community Dhamma leader for BIPOC sanghas. I can also provide workshops and design a program for your needs.

FEES

Individual counselling fees are $160.

I do not have sliding scale options at this time. Fees for professional consultation, mindfulness-based consultation, and workshops can be offered after discussions around individual, and group needs. I am able to bill Green Shield and Blue Cross, directly.

LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

 

I reside in Tkaronto, commonly known as Toronto. With gratitude, I acknowledge the nations in whose territories I work and live, as a Afro-Caribbean immigrant: Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat peoples and home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. May we all work towards reconciliation.

https://native-land.ca/

May you live your life with ease.


 

MICHELLE NICHOLLS BSW, MSW, RSW

Let's Connect.

Jane Street and Annette Street

647-370-2346

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