Michelle Garraway
Michelle Garraway, MSW, RSW
Founder & Clinic Director
Registered Social Worker/Psychotherapist
Specialties: Couples, relationships, women’s issues, racial identity.
Clients like: My calm and confident presence and my straight (and sometimes fast) talk. I give them things to think about or work on between sessions and often share the “why” behind what I’m doing.
Modalities: Psychobiological Approach to Couple Therapy (PACT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Narrative Therapy, Gottman Method, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing, attachment-based, trauma-informed, anti-racist, anti-oppressive.
Availability: In person and virtual
Schedule: Days
Languages spoken: English
More About Me
Hi! I’m Michelle. I created The Relationship Agency with the vision for a more loving world through stronger relationships. Humans are wired for connection. We all do better - in love and work - when we have authentic, insightful, and secure relationships. I practice a type of couples therapy called PACT (the Psychobiological Approach to Couple Therapy). PACT therapists recognize that everyone comes with a history, that we are all doing the best to protect ourselves, and that humans thrive when in secure relationships. I use this approach to work with you to help build new patterns of interacting, putting your relationship at the centre of your lives.
I also use this expertise to work with individuals who are struggling alone in their relationships, trying to make big life decisions, or feeling anxious and stressed. And most importantly to help you embrace and nurture the relationship you have with yourself.
For years, research has shown that the therapeutic relationship is the strongest predictor of success in therapy. That means if we like each other you’re more likely to achieve your goals. Knowing that, I’d like you to know a bit about me.
I am a white presenting cis woman. I might not be what you think when you picture “therapist”. I don’t wear cardigans but I do love a good herbal tea. I’m a mom, a registered social worker, and worked for over a decade in the public sector including as a senior leader. I’m a former stressed out high achiever who’s grown into a high achieving entrepreneur with really strong boundaries.
I’m bi-racial and carry my Caribbean/Canadian culture with me everywhere and in everything. I’m a martial artist who competed before I had kids and couldn’t afford the injuries and dedicated to lifting weights. I don’t know how to be anything other than authentic. I learn something from every single person I meet. I laugh loudly, use a lot of analogies, and am always curious.
When we’re in therapy together I’ll never judge you and I’ll never tell you what to do. I’ll feel with you, guide you, and help you build new skills and new ways of thinking. There will be times when I’ll be direct and strategic, and push you further than you knew was possible (but to where I knew you could go all along!).
We learn and grow only in relation to others. I know that the key to achieving your goals is learning to master relationships, and I can help you do just that. Reach out for a free consultation to see if we’re a good fit.
Education & Certifications
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Masters Certificate in Public Sector Leadership, OnTechU
Master of Social Work, University of Windsor
Honours Bachelor of Arts, Psychology and Criminology, York University
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Integrative Sex and Couples Certification Training with Tammy Nelson: Certified Sex Therapy Informed Professional (CSTIP) Course
CASWE-ACFTS Online Field Instructor Certificate
Clinical Supervision: Providing Effective Supervision, Navigating Ethical Issues and Managing Risk
Intensive Trauma Treatment Certification Workshop: EMDR, CBT and Somatic-Based Interventions to Move Clients from Surviving to Thriving
Psychobiological Approach to Couple Therapy (PACT), Level 1 and Level 2
Gottman Method Couples Therapy, Level 1
