Nicole St. Michel is a counselling therapist who specializes in the body mind connection: My journey has been shaped by creativity, resilience, and a deep appreciation for meaningful human connection. Growing up alongside Lake Ontario in the 80s and Shawnigan Lake in the 90s fostered in me a strong connection to nature, community, music, and authentic self-expression — influences that continue to ground and inspire both my personal and professional life.

Life has felt like a steady preparation for becoming a counsellor — my experiences continue to inform the compassion and understanding I bring to this work. Since I can remember, I have been drawn to growth, challenge, and experiences that expand perspective. For six years, I worked as a tree planter to fund my education — an experience that taught me resilience, perseverance, and humility. Travel and time spent in different cultures continue to deepen my appreciation for the complexity of human experience and our shared need for meaning, healing, and connection.

I earned my BA in Psychology in Montreal in 2008 and went on to explore the mind-body-spirit connection through yoga, meditation, and holistic wellness practices. My counselling work is rooted in the belief that healing happens when we reconnect with ourselves more fully — emotionally, mentally, physically, and spiritually. I draw inspiration from Gabor Maté’s Compassionate Inquiry approach, which blends somatic work with curiosity, self-awareness, and a deep exploration of the emotional patterns and life experiences that shape how we relate to ourselves and others.

I find deep meaning and fulfillment in being a counsellor, and I am continually inspired by the lifelong journey of understanding what it means to be human. I feel grateful to support people as they navigate life’s challenges, reconnect with themselves, and move toward greater healing and peace. My intention is to create a warm, grounded, and nonjudgmental space where clients feel safe to be themselves, speak openly, and explore what’s been holding them back — so they can move toward a more authentic and empowered life. “Healing begins the moment you feel safe enough to be seen.”— Anonymous

Nicole’s credentials include:

· MA in Counselling Psychology

· BA in Psychology

· Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC) – Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association

· Certified Compassionate Inquiry Practitioner – Dr. Gabor Maté’s trauma-informed model

· EMDR Trained – Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (for trauma)

· Gottman Method Couples Therapy – Level 2 Certified

Nicole St. Michel, M.A., C.C.C.,
Program Therapist, Hinton Friendship Centre
nicole@yfcm.ca
(403) 826 2637

Oh Great Spirit, help me always to speak the truth quietly, to listen with an open mind when others speak, and to remember the peace that may be found in silence ~Cherokee Prayer