Michelle Deshaw

I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor with over 25 years experience helping adults and children with a variety of conditions.  My approach is emotion-focused, evidence-based, and rooted in the latest science of attachment and neurobiology.   I have extensive training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Exposure Response Prevention (ERP), Emotion-Focused Therapy, Attachment-Based Therapies, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), and SPACE treatment for Anxiety.  I have worked in BC provincial mental health programs for over 15 years within multidisciplinary mental health teams providing assessment, diagnosis and treatment, as well as in EAP programs helping clients across Canada with anxiety and stress.   I practice from a trauma-informed and anti-oppressive lens and place paramount importance on creating a warm, safe, and non-judgmental space for clients to process their feelings. I see the power of the therapeutic relationship foundational for healing, and I approach each client with openness, empathy, and authenticity.

 I offer a 20 min free consult to determine fit.  I specialize in working with these issues:

-OCD: Contamination, Checking, Symmetry/Ordering, Intrusive Thoughts

-Generalized Anxiety, Social Anxiety, Panic, Phobias

-ADHD and attention issues

-Depression and low mood, Burnout

-Transitions, Relationship Grief and Loss

-Narcissistic Personality Style/Traits: Recovering from narcissistic abuse and navigating these relationships

-Single/Lone Parent unique and distinct challenges and stresses

-Failure to Launch Syndrome