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About
Let them be little.
Let them be creative.
Let them play often.
In short, let them be children.
The Mindful Maple is a counselling practice located in the heart of downtown Maple Ridge, BC. My practice is dedicated to supporting children ages 5 to 12 years of age who are experiencing difficulties associated with anxiety-related disorders and general anxious thoughts and feelings in their daily lives. Various modes of delivery of counselling services are available to meet the needs of busy families, including in-office, online, and home-based counselling.
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At The Mindful Maple, my treatment approach is to offer evidence-based practice and intervention using Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) (a form of therapy used to reduce distress and improve behavioural, emotional, and cognitive responses), as well as other effective modalities, such as play therapy, art therapy, and mindfulness practice, to address a number of challenges related to childhood anxiety. Not only is CBT the most commonly used evidence-based approach for the treatment of childhood anxiety, it is the most effective treatment for reducing symptoms of severe anxiety in children. Through the use of CBT strategies, children learn to utilize coping skills to manage their specific challenge(s) in a more effective and healthy way, recognize and accept feelings and uncomfortable physical symptoms, and better understand what their thoughts and behaviours might be trying to communicate.
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I also integrate other well-researched therapeutic approaches (e.g., mindfulness-based interventions, interpersonal psychotherapy, and attachment-based interventions) into my work.
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Services do not require a diagnosis or referral.
About Michelle Popielarz, MC, CCC
My journey to the field of counselling is strongly influenced by various insights, life lessons, and personal encounters that have occurred in my personal and professional life. I created The Mindful Maple to focus all of my efforts on providing support for school-age children experiencing challenges related to anxiety at home, in school, and/or in the community. Working with children ages 5 to 12 years of age, I utilize a child-centered approach to build balance and connection through a focus on strengths, problem-solving, coping skills, and play.
I was born and raised in West Vancouver, BC and have worked with children in various capacities since I was 16 years of age. Over the course of my education I have earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology and Linguistics, a Master of Counselling, a Graduate Certificate in Child and Youth Mental Health, and am a Certified Youth Mental Health Specialist (CYMHS). Much of my counselling practice has focused on helping children and adolescents grow from their personal struggles with a variety of presenting issues, particularly with an emphasis on anxiety.
Working in the field of mental health for the past 12 years, I have assumed a number of different roles, responsibilities, and challenging tasks that have allowed me to gain confidence in my abilities to enable change in clients and their families. I have had the pleasure of working alongside many influential health professionals who, like myself, have an innate desire to improve the quality of living for others.
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Outside of the counselling realm, I am a mother of two boys and a girl, all of which are beautiful and bright, yet bear three very different personalities. Much of my understanding and passion in my work with children stems from my own experience as a parent during all of the real life challenges and changes parenthood brings.
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If you are interested in learning more about how I might be able to play a therapeutic role in your child's life, please don’t hesitate to reach out to arrange a complimentary 30-minute phone consultation to discuss your concerns.
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