Curriculum Vitae

S. Michele James, BA, MTS, RP, RMFT, AccFM

Registered Psychotherapist

Registered Individual, Marriage and Family Therapist (CMFT)
Accredited Family Mediator (OAFM)
Family Professional (Collaborative Law)

Dundas, Ontario
905-520- 2705

www.michelejames.com

CURRICULUM VITAE

EDUCATION

1998 Master of Theological Studies in Pastoral Counselling
Waterloo Lutheran Seminary
Wilfrid Laurier University
Waterloo, Ontario

Thesis: Unresolved Grief

1996 Addiction Studies Diploma
McMaster University
Hamilton, Ontario
1992 Honours Bachelor of Arts-Sociology
McMaster University
Hamilton, Ontario

Major Research Project: Date Rape and Sexual Assault on Campus

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

1998-Present Individual, Couple and Family Therapist Private Practice
  • provide brief and long-term therapy to adults, teens, youth, couples, and families
  • use an integrative therapy approach that emphasizes client strengths in an environment of respect and safety
2013-Present Accredited Family Mediator (OAFM) Private Practice
  • provide therapeutic mediation support to people transitioning to separation and
    divorce
  • assist couples in creating a parenting plan to assist their family in moving from
    one home to two.
2016-Present Family Professional (Collaborative Law)
  • part of the collaborative team, supporting clients and lawyers in the negotiation
    process
  • neutral facilitator
  • assist clients in creating a parenting plan
2000-2002 Child and Family Therapist
Guthrie and Associates, Brantford, Ontario

  • provided therapy to children, adolescents, and their families
  • also worked with individual adults and couples
  • EAP service provider to over 40 companies
1996-1997 Therapist Intern
Pastoral Counselling Centre, Hamilton, Ontario

  • 400 hours of supervised therapy training
  • counselled adolescents and adults from diverse cultural backgrounds
  • in-class component included case conferences, theory, and practice counselling
1995-1999 Residential Counsellor
Dawn Patrol Group Homes, Hamilton, Ontario

  • on-call worker at a residential facility for male young offenders
  • monitored daily routine of residents, encouraged responsible behaviour, life and
    social skills
  • crisis intervention
1992-1996 Social Service Worker (Income Maintenance)
Regional Municipality of Hamilton-Wentworth

  • worked in a multicultural environment maintaining a caseload of 240 individuals
    and families in receipt of General Welfare Assistance
  • worked as both a team player and independently
1992-1995 Volunteer-Young Offender Unit
Hamilton-Wentworth Detention Centre, Hamilton, Ontario

  • provided one-on-one counsel to inmates requesting someone to talk to
  • facilitated chapel services
1991-1992 Work Orientation Workshop Trainer
Waterloo County Board of Education, Cambridge, Ontario

  • created and implemented two summer programs for high school students identified
    as having the potential to leave school prematurely
  • conducted workshops on employment skills, career direction, life skills, and personal
    growth
  • matched students to a suitable job in the community and supervised their progress
1988-1990 Weekend Residential Counsellor
Family Crisis Shelter, Cambridge, Ontario

  • worked with victims of family violence and their children
  • conducted crisis and supportive counselling, including crisis phone calls
  • managed the Shelter, and supervised a team of volunteers

CONTINUING EDUCATION

  • EDI Training (OACP-Collaborative Trainers) (4 hours), Karen B.K.Chan, March 30th and April 19th, 2022.
  • Integrating Brain-Changing Therapeutic Tools and Techniques (3.5 hours), Dr. Jennifer Sweeton, October 29, 2021.
  • DV/IPV Training: Family Peacemakers Conference (7 hours), Annette Katchaluba, Trish Bidgood and Debbie Hoffman, May 8, 2021.
  • IPV Training: Risk Identification and Assessment Framework (3 hours), Deepa Mattoo and Patricia Coelho, (OAFM training), April 28, 2021.
  • Complex Parenting Plan Solutions: Transitioning Families with Complex Health and Safety Issues (6 hours), Karen Bonnell, March 19, 2021.
  • Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy for Anxiety, Depression, and Anger (7 hours), Dr. Martin Antony, October 19, 2017.
  • Parenting Plans Unpacked (7 hours), Sheila Brown, Laurie Stein, March 4, 2017.
  • Family Professional as Neutral Facilitator (7 hours), Sheila Brown, Stella Kavoukian, March 3, 2017.
  • Level 2 Interdisciplinary Collaborative Practice Skills Training (21 hours), Victoria Smith, JD, C. Med, Laurie Stein, LLB, MSW, Alison Anderson, CFP, FDS, RRC, 2016.
  • Level 1 Introduction to Collaborative Practice Training (14 hours), Deborah Graham, LL. B, Acc.FM, Sheila Brown, M.S.W, Acc.FM, Alison Anderson, CFP., 2016.
  • CBT Certification in the Treatment of Anxiety and Depression (Part 1): Evidence-Based Treatment of Anxiety and Related Disorders (14 hours), Dr. Martin Antony, 2016.
  • Narrative Mediation (14 hours), John Winslade, 2015.
  • Basic Family Law (30 hours), Hilary Linton, LL.B., LL.M (ADR), Acc.FM, 2012.
  • Family Mediation Skills (20 hours), presented by Richard Shields, LL.B., M.A, LL.M., Ph.D., Antoinette Clarke, M.S.W, Ph.D. candidate, Barbara Anderson, M.S.W., Acc.FM, Margot Hallman, LL.B., C.Med., Acc.FM, 2011.
  • Assessing for Domestic Violence and Power Imbalances for Family Mediators (14 hours), presented by Antoinette Clarke, Darlene Murphy, Acc.FM, C.P. Med., 2010.
  • Family Mediation Workshop Training (40 hours), Richard Shields, 2010.
  • Fundamentals of Couple and Family Therapy Supervision Course, Brenda Bolliger, M.S.W., R.S.W., Sharon Mayne Devine, M.Sc., RSW, Sharon Ramsay, M.Div., 2008.
  • Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Level 1 and 2 Training, presented by Ms. Barbara Horne, M.Sc., RMFT, 2007.
  • Clinical Fellow requirements completed for AAMFT/OAMFT (2003): 11 graduate level courses in 5 distinct areas, more than 1300 client contact hours in the therapy setting, and a master’s degree in a related field. Registration #82173.

WORKSHOPS/CONFERENCES

  • OACP/OAFM Family Peacemakers Conference (7 hours). Keynote Speaker: Michael Lang: “Deepening in Reflection”. May 6, 2022.
  • OACP/OAFM Family Peacemakers Conference (14 hours). Keynote Speaker: Ken Cloke: “Mediating Dangerously”. May 7 and 8, 2021.
  • AFCC-Ontario Annual Conference (7 hours). October 16, 2020.
  • Love in Lockdown (mini webinar). (2 hours). Terry Real. April 21, 2020.
  • Creating Connection from a Distance: Making Virtual Psychotherapy a Relational Experience (mini webinar). (2 hours). Janina Fisher. April 21, 2020.
  • Private Practice Opportunities…NOW (mini webinar). (2 hours). Lynn Grodzki. April 14, 2020.
  • AFCC Annual Conference (Toronto): “The Future of Family Justice: International Innovations”. (13 hours), May 30-June 1, 2019).
  • When Collaborative Practice Collides with the Hardball Negotiator. (7 hours), J. Mark Weiss, JD, CDFA, April 3, 2019.
  • Collaborative Practice Hamilton Halton Peel Niagara Training Retreat:” Meditation in Collaborative Practice” (8 hours), Jordan Topp, February 1, 2019. -Facilitated follow up discussion on day two of retreat (1 hour).
  • AFCC (Ontario) Conference: “The Future of Youth: Moving Beyond Risk to Resilience”. Dr. Michael Ungar. (6 hours), October 19, 2018.
  • AFCC Preconference Institute: “Supporting Adopted Youth to Maintain Openness Connections with Birth Family and Communities” (3 hours), 0ctober 18, 2018.
  • Sending Out an S.O.S.: Navigating Liability and Complaints in High Conflict Cases. (7 hours). Hamilton High Conflict Forum, September 21, 2018.
  • Collaborative Practice Hamilton Halton Training Retreat: “Opening More Doors and Sustaining Better Teams” (8 hours), Sue Cook and Brian Galbraith, February 2, 2018.
  • Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy for Anxiety, Depression, and Anger (7 hours), Dr. Martin Antony, October 19, 2017
  • OAFM-OCLF Conference, (10 hours), September 14-16, 2017.
  • Challenging Conversations: High Conflict Families, Domestic Violence, Differentiation, Dr. Peter Jaffe, September 2016.
  • Rekindling Desire: Assessment, Treatment, and Relapse Prevention of Sexual Dysfunction, Dr. Barry McCarthy, 2014.
  • High Conflict Personalities in Family Law: An Intersection of the Legal and the Clinical, Hamilton Law Association, 2014.
  • Interviewing the Internalized Other, Dr. Karl Tomm, 2012.
  • The New Rules of Marriage: A Relational Life Therapy Approach to Couples and Couples Therapy, Terry Real, M.S.W, 2011.
  • Walking the Walk: Creative Tools for Transforming Compassion Fatigue and Vicarious Trauma, Francoise Mathieu, M.Ed., CCC, 2011.
  • Creating a Secure Base for All (Attachment Theory), Dr. Daniel Hughes, 2010.
  • Elder Mediation: Presentation to the OAMFT, Resa Eisen, M.S.W., 2009.
  • Addicted to Love: Exploring Sex, Internet and Relationship Dependency, Dr. Marta Durski, 2009.
  • Challenging Children and Adolescents: Harnessing Family Strengths to Co-Create Compelling Future Possibilities, Matthew D. Selekman, M.S.W., 2009.
  • The Therapist as Life Coach: A Natural Transition, Dr. Patrick Williams, Ed. D, and Juliet Austin, M.A, 2002.
  • Facing the Dragon Together: Emotionally Focused Therapy for Traumatized Couples, Dr. Susan Johnson, Ed. D, 2001.
  • Short-Term Techniques for Counselling Children, Dr. Lawrence Shapiro, 2001.
  • Kids are Worth It! Parenting with Wit and Wisdom Seminar, Ms. Barbara Coloroso, 1999.
  • Traumatic Stress-A Clinician’s Guide Workshop, Ms. Pam Townsend, M.A., Mr. Bill Tibbo, M.S.W, Mr. Carlos Gomes, M.A., 1999.
  • Affairs: Getting the Message, Ms. Emily Brown, 1997.
  • Non-Violent Crisis Intervention, Waterloo County Board of Education, 1991.

PRESENTATIONS AND LEADERSHIP

Taught the 5 day (OACP and IACP approved) Collaborative Practice Training (online) with Elizabeth Urban and Gail Belchior) (40 hours)- September 2020, January 2021.Webinar: How to Grow Your Collaborative Practice-presented with Elizabeth Urban and Gail Belchior (1 hour), September 1, 2020.

Coach-Online Introductory Interdisciplinary Collaborative Practice Training (Brian Galbraith and Deborah Graham teams) (35 hours), May 2020.

Collaborative Practice Hamilton Halton (CPHH) presentation-Introduction of the new Client Binder for Collaborative Practice. Burlington, Ontario. January 15, 2020.

Peel-Halton Collaborative Practice Group member-2017-2018.

Hamilton-Halton Collaborative Practice Group member, including Protocols Committee member (which includes assisting in the creation of Client and Professional Resource Binders for Collaborative Law)-2018-present.

“Value of the Family Professional: Is It Worth the Investment?” -co-presented with Angela Pickard, Peel Halton Collaborative Group April 20, 2017.

Halton Mediators’ Group co-founder with Nicole Stewart Kamanga, 2013-2020.

“Dealing with Strong Emotions in the Collaborative Process”-Peel-Halton Collaborative
Law retreat, Hockley Valley, 2016.
“Compassion Fatigue”-Halton Mediators’ Group, Oakville, Ontario, 2016.
“Dealing with Difference in Marriage”-Forestview Church, Oakville, Ontario, 2016.
“Dealing with Conflict in Marriage”-Forestview Church, Oakville, Ontario, 2015.

PUBLICATIONS

Review of Playful approaches to serious problems: Narrative therapy with Children
and their families by Jennifer Freeman, David Epston, and Dean Lobovits, in Pastoral
Sciences, 20(1), Spring 2001, 186-188.

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS

CRPO: College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario
CAMFT: Canadian Association for Marriage and Family Therapy
OAFM: Ontario Association for Family Mediation
OACP: Ontario Association of Collaborative Professionals
CPHH: Collaborative Practice Hamilton Halton