Michelle Richards-Thompson

BSc, MCP

Therapist, Canadian Certified counsellor

(780) 288-8011

Note: Not all insurance plans provide coverage for Certified Canadian Counsellors (CCC). Please check your insurance plan prior to booking. 

Specialties

  • Grief & Loss

  • Losing Someone to Suicide

  • Loss of Employment

  • Loss of a Child

  • Loss of a Loved One

  • Loss of a Preterm Child

  • Anxiety

  • Depression

  • Emotional Regulation

  • Trauma

  • Workplace Trauma

Clients

  • Adults

  • Children & Youth (6-12)

  • Adolescents (13-17)

  • Seniors

  • Families

  • Couples

Training

  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

  • Art Therapy

  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

  • Compassion Focused Therapy

  • Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)

  • EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)

  • Emotionally Focused Therapy

  • Exposure Therapy

  • Mindfulness Therapy

  • Motivational Interviewing

  • Person Centered Therapy

  • Play Therapy

  • Positive Psychotherapy

  • Sandplay Therapy

  • Solution Focused Therapy

  • Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

  • Therapy Mental Health First Aid training Anxiety in Children and Youth-Practical Intervention Strategies

  • Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) Certification

  • Grief Counselling and Treatment Certification Training

  • Trauma & Shame-Informed Dual Certification: Evidence-Based, Integrated Treatment Strategies for Enhanced Recovery

  • ADHD Certification Course- What’s New & What’s Next in Supporting Neurodiverse Clients

  • Non-Violent Crisis Intervention

  • High Functioning Autism Certificate

  • Play Therapy for Enhancing Learning and Promoting Wellness in Children & Adolescents

    • Masters of Counselling, Counselling Psychology, Athabasca University

    • Bachelor of Science Guidance and Counselling, Northern Caribbean University

    • Canadian Certified Counsellor

  • Canadian Counselling of Psychotherapy Association

    Psychology Association of Alberta

    The Association of Counselling Therapy of Alberta

  • Hello. I am an enthusiastic, dedicated and compassionate Mental Health Therapist. I believe I am an agent of change, and I want to help others who are struggling with mental health challenges. I am passionate about working with children, teens, parents, adults, couples and seniors. In my practice, I use methods such as play and art therapy to help children and adolescents process trauma, build coping skills and strengthen relationships. I have extensive experience in the elementary, junior high and high school systems working with children and teens with various mental health issues such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, autism, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Moreover, I am also a trained Eye movement desensitization reprocessing therapist who focuses on trauma, grief and loss.

    If you are looking for a therapist to help you navigate through your mental health challenges, I would love to meet you.

    I completed my Master of Counselling Psychology Degree from Athabasca University and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Guidance and Counselling from Northern Caribbean University. In addition, I have a Guidance and Counselling/ School Counselor background, having worked with children, adolescents, parents, and families for over ten years. I believe therapy is a collaborative journey where we explore your story, challenges, and goals in a safe, supportive, and non-judgmental space. My approach is compassionate and client-centred, grounded in evidence-based practices tailored to my unique needs and experiences.

    I specialize in working with children, adolescents, parents, and adults navigating anxiety, depression, attention deficit hyperactive disorder, trauma, and life transitions. Whether you’re seeking help for yourself or your child, my goal is to help you uncover strengths, build resilience, and develop practical tools for lasting change. I use play therapy, art therapy, and other creative interventions to help children express emotions and work through challenges developmentally appropriately. For teens, I integrate cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) with mindfulness strategies to address concerns like social anxiety and self-esteem.

    When working with adults, I draw from approaches such as emotionally focused therapy (EFT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and trauma-informed care. My aim is to help my clients feel empowered in their relationships, improve communication, and process past experiences that may be holding them back. I also have extensive experience supporting families in fostering healthy communication, setting boundaries, and repairing strained relationships. I am passionate about helping clients from all walks of life, including those from marginalized or underserved communities, feel heard and understood.

    In our work together, you’ll find a warm, empathetic presence combined with a structured approach to achieving your goals. Therapy is not about fixing you—you are not broken. It’s about understanding your unique story and equipping you with tools to navigate challenges more confidently.