Michelle Cru

Registered Psychotherapist

Hi, I’m Michelle and I believe that some of us are born with really big emotions – that includes me!

Being sensitive is a double-edged sword. It comes with an extraordinary capacity to be lively, connect with others, generate insights, and experience joy. However, without solid regulation skills, a safe base, and a warm guide, we can also suffer tremendously and get lost on our path.

Especially if we add in tough life events, traumas, or environments that aren’t a fit for us.

This might describe you. This might describe one (or more) of your children. It may feel like your relationships are strained or chaotic – in a way that is hard to get out of.

You are not alone!

That is where I come in! If you invite me to, we can work on untangling some of what is happening and find a way back to a more confident, mindful, and meaningful life.

My role is to be present with you, value your expertise, understand your experience, and find a path we can travel together to meet your goals.

We both have a piece of this puzzle, and whether you, your child, or your family are struggling with relationship dynamics, sadness, anger, anxiety, or deep-seated hurt, there is a way through!

I got into this field because I genuinely love people from all walks of life and our stories fascinate me.

It is an honor to be a part of my clients’ journey and I take that trust very seriously, although I have been known to share levity, humor, and playfulness along the way.

I work with children (age 10+), teens, adults, parents, and families. I am bilingual and offer therapy in English and in French.

If this sounds like a good fit, or you would just like to check out what we can accomplish together, please hit the Book Now button. I look forward to hearing from you!

Education & Credentials

Formal Education

M.A., School and Applied Child Psychology, McGill University (2015)
Hon. BSc., Psychology Specialist, University of Toronto (2011)

Training & Certifications

Introduction to the Power Threat Meaning Framework – PTMF (Heather Drummond/Advance Health)
The Three Phases of Trauma Recovery/Pierre Janet and Judith Herman Model (Heather Drummond/Advance Health)
Healing the Fragmented Selves of Trauma Survivors: Overcoming Self-Alienation (Janina Fischer/Drapeau and Fitzpatrick; Internal Family Systems-based – IFS)
Motivational Interviewing (William Miller and Stephen Rollnick/Psychwire)
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy – ACT (Russ Harris/Psychwire)
Treating Trauma Masters Series (Bessel van der Kolk, Pat Ogden, Ruth Lanius, Dan Siegel, Stephen Porges, Peter Levine/NICABM)
Transformational Chairwork: Using Psychotherapeutic Dialogues in Clinical Practice (Scott Kellogg/MediPsy)
Dialectical Behavior Therapy with Adolescents and Families – DBT (Christine Sloss and Michele Locke/Broadview Psychology)
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy for Concurrent Mental Health and Substance Use Issues: The Science and the Practice – DBT (Lane Pederson/Dalton Associates)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Mental Health Professionals – CBT (Gail Myhr/McGill University and Allen Memorial Hospital)
Treating Anxiety in Children and Adolescents: Clinical Strategies Within Empirically-Supported Procedures (Philip Kendall/Medipsy)
Nonviolent Crisis Intervention (McGill University; Child Development Institute)
Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training – ASIST (Child Development Institute)
Suicide Risk Assessment and Suicide Prevention (McGill University)
Emotion-Focused Therapy: The Transforming Power of Affect (Les Greenberg/Medipsy)
Stop Now and Plan – SNAP – Core, Tier 2, and Parenting Program Training (CBT & Parent Management Training Program – PMT; Child Development Institute)
Feelings First: Supporting Emotional Regulation in Children and Youth (EFFT-based, taken as a course not a certification; Child Development Institute)
Intergenerational Trauma (Geraldine Crisci/Child Development Institute)
Creating Clinical Formulations for Complex Trauma and Attachment Disruption (Geraldine Crisci/Child Development Institute)
Make Resilience Matter: Time to Connect Resilience and Trauma-Informed Practice (multiple presenters/Make Resilience Matter Symposium)
Invisible Injuries of Trauma (Ben Dunkley/Sick Kids and Child Development Institute)
SNAP in Indigenous Communities – includes cultural safety, reconciliation, personal and professional calls to action, guidelines in working with indigenous families, circle discussions/activities, and self-reflections. (Patty Chabert/Child Development Institute)
Emotion-Focused Skills Training for Parents – EFST-P (Amanda Stillar and Joanne Dolhanty/York University Psychology Clinic)
Awakening Your Fearless Heart – mindfulness and self-compassion (Tara Brach x NICABM)
Long-term Mindfulness practitioner, having led and co-led meditations at the University of Toronto as well as contributed to mindfulness-based research projects.

Professional Licences

Registered Psychotherapist, College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO), registration number 009430

Michelle outside of work

A few things about me! I like dancing, cooking/enjoying food, board games, singing, outdoor activities, and being a BIG nerd who researches everything. I am also a pet-person who is currently 100% dedicated to a little rescue cat. Finally, I am a client myself – I walk the therapy walk. I will never expect you to do something I wouldn’t.