TEAM

Michelle McVittie

Michelle McVittie is a Coach at MindFit and a Child Life Specialist. Michelle provides services to parents/caregivers under the supervision of Dr. Kim Edwards, C.Psych.

Training/Work Experience: Michelle completed a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and a Child Life Studies Diploma at McMaster University. She has worked in pediatric medical and mental health (including at McMaster Children’s Hospital), with young offenders, and in daycares as a behaviour specialist for over 20 years. Michelle is a sought-after speaker, TV host, author, wife, and mother. She is also a parenting expert for CHCH morning live. Michelle has been trained in a variety of modalities including Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy, emotion-focused coaching, motivational interviewing, and collaborative problem solving.

Presenting Concerns: Michelle provides support to parents of youth facing a broad range of challenges isncluding Anxiety and OCD, ADHD, emotion regulation challenges, tics and Tourette syndrome, self-esteem, low mood, coping with stress, selective mutism and eating disorders.

Approach: Michelle uses a collaborative, evidence-based, and strengths-based approach when working with parents. She offers a variety of short-term (generally 3-5 sessions) parenting programs including:

• Keys to Parenting Youth with Anxiety, OCD, and/or Tics/Tourette Syndrome
• More Collaboration, Less Meltdowns: Parenting Strong-Willed and Spirited Youth
• Parenting in a Pandemic: Tips and Tricks
• Raising Confident and Resilient Youth
• “Am I doing it right?” Bolstering Your Parent Toolbox
• Self-Care and Self-Compassion for Parents and Caregivers
• Parenting Your Teen with Love and Connection

These programs focus on helping parents ditch guilt and shame, calm the chaos, give themselves a break (self-care), bolster parent confidence, and teach parents tools/strategies to support their child’s well-being. They are also are infused with practical examples, resources, tips, and everyday scenarios.

Outside of MindFit: Outside of her work at MindFit, Michelle is a mother to 2 teenagers and enjoys quality time with those she loves, being creative and reading.