Life can be as unpredictable as Saskatchewan weather.
One minute you are cruising with the windows down and the sun shining on your face, and the next minute a thunderstorm suddenly rolls in, slowing your progress or ending your sunny day cruise altogether.
Much like the inevitable harsh spells in prairie weather, one of the only certainties in life is hard times. Whether that is dealing with work stress, infertility, mental illness, traumatic events, or death, it can be hard to course correct and continue your journey when so much is out of your control. But there is choice in even the hardest of circumstances. And much like the calm following a storm, it is often it is possible to find beauty in adversity.
Dr. Michelle Teale Sapach, Ph.D., R.D., Psych.
It is my passion to support you through hardships and educate you on how to build a stronger, more resilient version of yourself that can more effectively weather life’s storms.
About Me
I grew up on a mixed farm in northeast Saskatchewan. My rural upbringing taught me the value of hard work and the resilience required of prairie living. It also educated me on the stigma surrounding mental health issues and the limited mental health resources available in rural Saskatchewan. So I decided to become a psychologist to help address those issues.
I completed my Master’s and Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at the University of Regina, during which I conducted research and gained experience treating anxiety, mood, and trauma-related disorders. I completed my predoctoral residency at the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre, during which I gained further expertise in treating anxiety and mood disorders. I also further solidified a passion for providing mental health services to military veterans and first responders living with psychological injuries related to their service at the Ottawa Operational Stress Injury Clinic. I returned home to Saskatchewan following my residency to be closer to family and worked as a Clinical Psychologist for the Saskatchewan Health Authority before transitioning to work in-house for the Regina Police Service in 2020.
I am currently registered with the Saskatchewan College of Psychologists (#1116) with Authorized Practice Endorsement (APE), which permits me to diagnose psychological disorders. My private practice currently focuses on conducting assessments for law enforcement agencies, as well as providing assessment and individual therapy for trauma-related disorders, anxiety disorders, mood disorders, grief-related issues (e.g., loss, miscarriage, infertility), as well as difficulties with stress (e.g., work and farm stress, burnout). I tailor treatment to your specific needs, preferences, and goals, drawing from my training in evidence-based treatments including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, and Prolonged Exposure (PE) for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. I work exclusively with adults (18 years of age and older) and have a special interest in supporting the unique mental health needs of first responders, military veterans, and farmers.
Outside of work, I am a nature enthusiast and enjoy taking in all that Saskatchewan has to offer, including camping, snowmobiling, quadding, and spending time with my growing family at my family farm.
Psychology Services
Virtual and In-Person Service Options Available
Assessment
Psychological assessments provide insight to personal distress and help to guide treatment.
Treatment
Psychotherapy includes individualized support for emotional difficulties and hardships, while building skills and making behavioural changes to more effectively manage challenges.
Consultation
Consultation with individuals, groups, organizations, and leaders can assist with unique situations or ongoing stressors that have the potential to impact psychological wellbeing.
Contact
Interested in working together? Fill out your information and I will be in touch as soon as possible.