About

Meet Michelle

Michelle Berezny is a Registered Psychotherapist providing Psychotherapy and Counselling Services to children, youth, and families within Ottawa and surrounding area. Michelle comes to this work with a wealth of experience working with families in trying situations; it is this experience that has informed her strong belief that all individuals and families possess the very strengths and inner resources needed to propel them forward through life’s struggles and challenges. Specifically, Michelle specializes in supporting families facing issues related to anxiety and excessive worry, depression and low mood, self-harm, suicidal ideation, anger, oppositional behaviour, parent-child conflict, separation and divorce, differing parenting styles, blended family challenges, grief and loss, social skill building, bullying, and self-esteem.

These aforementioned challenges can be described as powerfully stormy experiences that have the ability to weather a family’s sense of harmony and disrupt balance within relationships between family members. After the rain, so to speak, often comes a sense of fresh calmness. Counselling can serve to support families in acquiring the space needed to take a step back and regain perspective, and to thoughtfully move forward by helping each member feel heard, understood, and connected once again.

Approach to Counselling

Childhood and adolescence are periods of dynamic growth and self-discovery. Such rapid changes, including physical, emotional, and social, can be incredibly wonderful and care-free experiences for children and youth; however, these stages can also be experienced as turbulent times full of insecurity and uncertainty. Furthermore, these life stages can also cause overwhelming worry and frustration for parents witnessing such changes in their child’s behaviour, mood, and appearance. Of utmost importance to Michelle is the therapeutic relationship. Michelle meets children where they are at and accepts them for who they are unconditionally. Michelle helps children and youth learn to identify personal strengths and resources in a non-judgmental and respectful way. The child or youth is encouraged to identify and express thoughts, feelings, perceptions and experiences in a safe and supported environment.

As we move through life’s inevitable transitions, occasionally we encounter roadblocks that can either stop us in our tracks or provide us with vital life lessons. Michelle has an energized passion for helping children, youth and families move through those valuable transitions. Michelle works collaboratively with her clients while tailoring ones goals based on the unique needs and developmental stage of the child, youth, and family. Providing a warm, client-centered space for families within her practice, Michelle uses a variety of evidence-based practices, such as: Brief-Solution Focused Therapy, Play Therapy, Cognitive-Behaviour Therapy, Mindfulness, Attachment Theory, Emotion-Focused Therapy, and Family Systems Theory. Michelle is privileged to walk with clients on their very important journey of growth while inviting them to access and call upon their inner strengths and resiliencies.

Education & Experience

2011 Master of Arts in Counselling and Spirituality (Specialization in Couples Therapy)
Saint Paul University, Ottawa, ON

2009 Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Psychology
University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON

Registered Psychotherapist (RP) – College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO)
Registration #: 003011

Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC) – Canadian Counselling & Psychotherapy Association (CCAC)
Registration #: 3560

2011-2016 – Quick Response Counsellor – Open Doors for Lanark Children and Youth – Carleton Place, Ontario

2009-2011 – Individual & Couple Counsellor (Intern) – Saint Paul University Counselling Centre – Ottawa, Ontario

2010-2011 – Parent Support Group Facilitator – Main Street Community Services – Stittsville, Ontario

2010-2011 – Individual & Couple Counsellor (Intern) – Westend Family Care Clinic – Kanata, Ontario

2007-2011 – Support Worker – Christian Horizons – Ottawa, Ontario

2008-2009 – Family Support Volunteer – Roger’s House – Ottawa, Ontario

2008-2009 – Used-Clothing Boutique Volunteer – Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre – Ottawa, Ontario

Child & Adolescent Needs & Strengths (CANS), June 2015
Early Identification and Intervention Training for Youth Substance Abuse, TriCounty Addictions Services, March 2015
Child and Adolescent Functional Assessment Scale Training (CAFAS), March 2015
Understanding and Screening for Substance Use in Youth, YAK Youth Services, November 2014
Self-Injury Behaviour in Youth – Issues and Strategies, Crisis Trauma Research Institute Inc., May 2013
Level I Crisis Response Training (Traumatic Events Systems Model), Canadian Centre for Threat Assessment & Trauma Response, September 2012
Level I Family Assessment Training, Canadian Centre for Threat Assessment & Trauma Response, September 2012
Violence Threat Risk Assessment (V-TRA)– Level I and II, Canadian Centre for Threat Assessment & Trauma Response, May 2012
Front-Line Workers Trauma Assessment – Trauma & Resiliency Centre, May 2012
Child and Adolescent Functional Assessment Scale (CAFAS) Training, April 2012
Solution-Focused Brief Therapy: Enhanced Skills Model, November 2011
Brief Child & Family Phone Interview (BCFPI) Training, November 2011
Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST), January 2011
Non-Violent Crisis Intervention, Crisis Prevention Intervention, October 2007
Emergency First Aid/CPR – Level A, October 2007

About

Meet Michelle

Approach to Counselling

Education & Experience

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