In person in Hamilton · online across Ontario
Michelle Pennells
Art Therapist · HBA · DTATI (Thesis Pending)
- Families & Individuals
- English
Support for Anxiety, Behavioural Issues, Bipolar Disorder, Children & Attachment and 10 more ↓
Areas of focus
If what you are carrying is not listed, it is still worth a conversation.
- Anxiety
- Behavioural Issues
- Bipolar Disorder
- Children & Attachment
- Children & Sexualized Behaviour
- Couples Communication
- Depression
- Domestic Abuse
- Emotional Unavailability
- Grief and loss
- Modern Parenting
- Separation & Divorce
- Teen Issues
- Women's Issues
Also works with Abortion issue, Abuse survivor issues, Adoption, Aggression, Body image issues, Child abuse, Children divorce, Confidence, Control issues, Elder abuse / exploitation, Emotional / psychological abuse, Family conflict, Family of origin, Financial stress, First responders, Forgiveness, Health wellness, Identity issues, Life transitions, Mood disorders, Obsessive compulsive disorder, Parenting, Parenting attachment, Professional burnout, PTSD, Relationships dating, Self-esteem, Self-harm, Sexual assault victim, Sexual behaviour, Sexual health, Sexualized behaviour, Special needs / disabilities, Spiritual counselling, Spiritual issues, Stress management, Trust issues and Workplace issues.
In Michelle's words
I believe that everyone has a story to tell and that everyone has a special set of circumstances or challenges that they are navigating their way through. These can take the form of one big barrier or event in our life that changes everything, or they can be small day to day things that just wear us down. I am someone who will listen to your story and come alongside you to help you find your voice, face these life challenges, and grow in your confidence as you overcome them.
Continue reading Michelle's approach
As an art therapist I understand that sometimes words are not enough to express exactly what you are going through. I will guide you through therapeutic artmaking to help you find these words, find your voice, and build a stronger sense of self as part of the process. Don’t worry if you are not artistic, because art therapy is for anyone, no matter your skill level. The process of self-discovery is what is important, not technical skill. Art therapy can provide a playful, non-threatening way to tackle tough problems and discover hidden strengths you may never have known you had.
My motto in life is, “You can’t be strong for another person until you learn to be strong for yourself.” I understand all too well the pressure to feel like you have to “do it all”. The first step to finding inner strength is asking for help. This is a courageous act that does not indicate weakness, but rather an understanding that you need someone to help shoulder the burden so that you can heal and regain that strength you have always possessed.
Background
Honours Bachelor of Arts degree with a double major in Art and Psychology, and a minor in Social Work from Redeemer University College, as well as a Master’s Equivalency degree (DTATI) specializing in Art Therapy from the Toronto Art Therapy Institute.
Registered with Ontario Association of Mental Health Professionals (OAMHP)
Also listed on
Qualifications & registrations
- Experience
- 9 Years
- Also a member of
- Canadian Art Therapy Association (CATA)
Trained in these approaches — drawn on depending on what each person needs, not a fixed formula.
- Art Therapy
- Attachment Therapy
- CBT
- Family Systems Therapy
- Interpersonal Psychotherapy
- Jungian Analysis
- Narrative Therapy
- Object Relations Therapy
- Parent Child Interaction Therapy
- Person-Centred Therapy
- Play Therapy
- Psychodynamic Therapy
- Strength Based Therapy
- Talk Therapy
- Psychoanalysis
- Dream Analysis
A few questions, answered
My deep levels of empathy. Having struggled and overcome a lot in my own life allowed me to connect with and support my peers through the things that they struggled with. I found skills and tools through my own artistic processes that helped me cope and would share the insight that I learned with those around me.
Seeing the progress my clients make as they overcome their challenges. I love watching my clients gain confidence as they try out new skills and see them working in their lives. Every so often, I lead my clients through a review or inventory to help them recognize their own progress and accomplishments.
That it is okay to be scared or nervous. It can be intimidating to make big changes when you aren’t sure what to expect; however, therapy works by making big changes through a series of very small ones that are much easier to face. You won’t be walking through the experience alone as it is my job to help you through it.
That you are doing your best. Needing to learn new skills to better support your child doesn’t make you a bad parent, it makes you a great one because you are making sure that you are at your best for your child.
This is a tricky question, because there are so many directions that I could go with this one. The one thing that is consistent with my clients is a belief that they are somehow at fault and that they could have/should have done something to prevent it. This type of thinking is unhelpful, and only keeps you stuck in the past, wishing to change what has happened rather than moving towards healing through gaining tools and confidence that this is something you can overcome.
Some of my clients tell me that when hard situations come up, they can hear my voice in their head advising them to take a moment to let themselves feel their experiences and listen to what their feelings are telling them. Through this they find that inner wisdom. I like to joke that I am like a “Shoulder Angel” or “Jiminy Cricket”, teaching them how to listen to their own intuition. Sometimes I joke about giving out bracelets that have WWMS (What Would Michelle Say) as a more tangible reminder of the skills my clients are working on. The real magic is when my clients no longer hear my voice as it is replaced by their own inner voice. I love to celebrate that moment.
Getting to know Michelle
- What activity instantly calms you?
- It may sound weird but scribbling on a giant sheet of paper and then tearing it to pieces. This is my favourite art therapy technique.
- What song always gets you out on the dance floor?
- “Home for a Rest” by Spirit of the West. I don’t know why, but I love dancing to it, and it always makes me think of my oldest brother.
- How do you enjoy spending your alone time?
- I do what those who know me call “Old Lady Crafts”. I knit and crochet and am currently learning how to spin wool. I have done these since I was 8 years old when my Oma (grandmother) taught me. I have some of her unfinished pieces from when she passed away, and as soon as I figure out her self-created patterns, I intend to finish them.
- What’s the best piece of advice a family member has given you?
- My husband tells me that I can’t adopt every baby animal and orphaned child I meet because we will go bankrupt. I tell him that I am okay with that, but then he reminds me that I won’t let him be paid in Fudgee-O cookies for work he does, so I guess we’re even.