Open Space Therapy

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.

09/07/2024

Self-care fosters emotional regulation, strengthens your relationship with yourself, and encourages better boundaries with others. It also boosts your self-esteem and overall sense of fulfillment, as it allows you to prioritize your own needs. Ultimately, self-care empowers you to show up as your best self, benefiting both you and those around you.

08/27/2024

Your emotions are a part of you—they don’t define you, but they do deserve to be noticed and understood. Take a moment today to ask yourself, “How am I feeling?” and honor whatever comes up. 💚

08/21/2024

🧘‍♀️ Why Regulating Your Nervous System is Key Before Communicating 🧘‍♂️

Ever noticed how difficult it is to communicate clearly when you’re stressed, anxious, or overwhelmed? That’s because when your nervous system is dysregulated, it can trigger fight, flight, or freeze responses, making it hard to express yourself calmly and effectively.

Why it’s important:

Clarity: A regulated nervous system allows you to think clearly, helping you articulate your thoughts and emotions without confusion or frustration.
Empathy: When calm, you’re more likely to listen and respond with understanding, fostering deeper connections.
Conflict Resolution: Approaching conversations with a calm mind can prevent misunderstandings and reduce the likelihood of conflict.
Before you engage in important conversations, take a moment to breathe, ground yourself, and bring your nervous system into balance. This simple practice can transform the way you communicate, leading to more meaningful and harmonious interactions. 🌿

08/16/2024

🌿 How did your family handle emotions? 🌿

The way our families handled emotions often shapes how we process our feelings today. Were emotions openly discussed, or were they tucked away and left unspoken? Did you grow up in a home where feelings were embraced or one where they were suppressed?

Understanding the emotional patterns we inherited can be a powerful step toward healing and growth. It allows us to break cycles, create healthier ways of expressing ourselves, and build stronger connections with others.

Reflect on your emotional upbringing—what served you well, and what might you want to change? Your journey to emotional resilience starts with awareness. 💚