Open Space Therapy

03/05/2026

Grateful to reflect on this workshop with Métis families through MNBC’s Ministry of Education.
These gatherings remind me how powerful it is when families come together to learn, share stories, and reconnect with values that strengthen our relationships and communities. Together we explored mindful parenting, neurodivergent considerations, cultural teachings, and intergenerational strengths while including activities like beading, dot-art with Kelly Poitras, and medicine bag making.
Thank you to the MNBC team, the Family Connection Navigators, and the families who showed up with such openness. Deep appreciation as well to Elder Maria Reed, Sheena James, and Ashley Baresinkoff for your ongoing support. It’s an honour to do this work together.

01/18/2026

I feel deeply honoured to be invited by Ministry of Education – Family Connection Programs to host this 8-week workshop for Métis families across BC. Walking alongside such strong Indigenous women, and holding space for Métis families to gather, learn, create, and connect in good ways, is powerful medicine.

09/11/2025

Hello! It’s been a while, but I’m back and excited to announce that I’m currently enrolled in a Metis Creative Arts course training. This training will allow me to integrate expressive arts into my counselling practice, which has always been a source of grounding for me. I’m thrilled to bring more creative healing tools to our sessions! You can also check out my new art page , where I draw inspiration from the Metis “spirit bead” and its symbolism of embracing imperfection.

06/21/2025

🧡 National Indigenous Peoples Day 🧡Today let’s honour the strength, culture, and stories of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples across Turtle Island.

I am a proud Indigenous woman and I celebrate this day as a reminder of Indigenous pride, while also holding space for truth, resilience, and continued action.

Our culture is our medicine. Our healing is our power. I remind my Metis ancestors that we are in a time of reclamation, reconciliation and healing and it is safe(r) to be proud of our indigenous bloodlines. We will no longer hide who we are.

04/29/2025

Over the weekend, the tragedy at the Lapu-Lapu celebration deeply affected many of us. If you’re looking for support or ways to cope, check out my latest blog post: https://www.openspacetherapy.ca/blog

04/28/2025

Like many of you, my heart is heavy following the tragic events at the Lapu-Lapu Day celebrations. As a Filipino myself, I am deeply sorry for the pain and loss our community is experiencing. In this time of collective grief and healing, I want to offer a supportive and accessible space for reflection, connection, and care.

I’m opening three no-cost one-on-one counselling for adults who have been impacted by this tragedy. Subsequent session fees will be reduced or pay what you can. These sessions are limited and offered on a first-come, first-served basis.

Additionally, I’ll be facilitating an online support group on Tuesday evenings at a reduced fee.

For more information, please visit www.openspacetherapy.ca or email me at michelle@openspacetherapy.ca

As a Registered Therapeutic Counsellor at Open Space Therapy, I provide in-person, virtual, and walk and talk counselling sessions in Langley B.C.

12/24/2024

To My Dear Clients,

As this season unfolds, I want to take a moment to express my deep gratitude for each of you. It is a privilege to witness your courage, vulnerability, and resilience as you navigate your journeys.

This work, our work together, fills me with purpose and hope. I am honoured to walk alongside you and deeply committed to helping you rediscover the light and strength that are already within you.

This time of year can bring a range of emotions: joy and connection for some, and loneliness or loss for others. If you’re feeling the warmth of togetherness, I celebrate with you. If you’re carrying heaviness in your heart, know that you are not alone.

Let us all strive to offer kindness and compassion, for we often don’t know the battles others are quietly facing. A small act of understanding can ripple into profound healing.

With heartfelt gratitude and the warmest wishes,
Michelle

12/17/2024

🌿 Your Daily Self-Care Recipe 🌿

🛌 7-8 hours of sleep
Because you can’t pour from an empty cup.
🙏 Express gratitude
A little “thank you” goes a long way for the soul.
🧘 20 minutes of daily meditation
Find stillness and let your mind reset.
💖 Speak kindly to your inner child
They’re still there, and they need your love.
❌ Learn to say no
And embrace the discomfort, it’s self-respect in action.
🍃 Connect with nature
Breathe it in. Let it ground you.

✨ Your well-being matters. Save this recipe and mix it into your day. 🌟

10/01/2024

Starting today, I have the honour of leading a personal empowerment workshop called Resilient Roots. This program is designed to help us deepen our connection to Métis culture, which is why I’ve invited special guests to share their knowledge with us. My most profound healing has taken place in group settings, where I was able to find my story and reclaim my voice.
My goal is to create a safe, nurturing space for the Waceya Métis women to come together, heal, and grow through the power of connection.

09/26/2024

I was deeply honoured to be chosen to support the panelists during this incredibly impactful event organized by UBC Faculty of Medicine's REDI (Respectful Environments, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion) team. The event was moderated by Derek K Thompson – Čaabať Bookwilla | Suhiltun, Director, Indigenous Engagement and Maï Yasué, Associate Director of REDI. Sitting alongside esteemed Indigenous Counsellor Kim Bayer was a privilege.

I was humbled by the presenters’ courageous stories and deeply moved by their resilience and intergenerational strength. Their powerful stories will stay with me, a testament to the enduring spirit of their communities.
I’m grateful for the opportunity to witness and contribute to this important work of healing and reconciliation.

09/24/2024

Our needs are universal; we all share fundamental desires like connection, safety, love, and recognition. These needs are common across all people, regardless of background or circumstances. However, the way we go about fulfilling these needs*our strategies* can vary greatly and may not always be constructive or healthy. While the need itself is valid, the method we choose to meet it sometimes needs to be reevaluated to ensure it aligns with our values, respects others, and fosters genuine well-being. The key is finding strategies that not only meet our needs but also support healthy relationships and personal growth.