Pamati Counselling
The word Pamati comes from my Mother's first language, Cebuano. It is a dialect from the Philippines. It means to listen, as in listening to our inner voices, our Ancestors and our hearts.
About Me
Hello, and welcome. My name is Michelle Wing. My Chinese name is Winterbamboo, which was given to me by my great Aunt Mona. I am a Queer cis woman from mixed Asian ancestry, including Filipino, Chinese and Vietnamese. I was born in Toronto, the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat peoples. I am located in Vancouver, the unceded territory of Musqueam, Squamish, or Tsleil-Waututh peoples. My pronouns are she/her/they/them.
I am a Registered Social Worker and Register Clinical Counsellor. I’ve worked front line in the mental health and addictions field for over fifteen years. I’ve worked in one to one and group settings, including women self identifying groups, CBT and DBT groups. I started my career in 2004 working directly with Indigenous urban youth in a non-profit agency, led by a fearless Nisga'a Warrior and leader who invited me to learn and embody decolonizing practices. Since that time my practice has focused on anti-oppressive approaches, which aligns with my lived experience, and values. Throughout my career, I have focused on working with BIPOC self-identified women and girls and addressing PTSD, intergenerational trauma, racial trauma, and intimate partner violence.
The intersectional movements of MeToo, Idle No More, Free Palestine, and Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Investigations, and Black Lives Matters informs my passion for healing justice and social justice therapeutic work.
When I’m not working, I enjoy forest baths and biking along the seawall with my two kids, hopping from beach to beach. I love books, solitude, movement, music and quality sound speakers.
This is a link to a CBC article written about my practice.
I am a Kathara Society Board Member.
I've worked on reports regarding racism in the workplace.
My most recent trainings:
EMDR training for BIPOC Clinicians
“Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self- preservation, and that is an act of political warfare.”
- Audre Lorde
Working With Me
I prioritize working with Indigenous, Black, and People of Colour, including folks of mixed ancestry and wanting to work with me on identity, grief, interpersonal relationships, complex PTSD, and trauma. The approaches I use are grounded in Decolonizing, Anti-Oppressive Practice, Trauma, and Somatic practices.
In the last ten years, I’ve completed numerous trainings about the neurodivergent brain, including having immediate family members living with ADHD and Dyslexia. I’ve processed trauma, coached, and been alongside folk on their journey with neurodiversity who either self-identify, have been assessed and diagnosed, medicated and non-medicated or just curious.
I use a harm reduction approach where I apply techniques in shame resilience, identifying strengths, and connection to navigate the process of recovery. I meet people where they are at in their use, be it substances, alcohol, eating, relationship, or sex.
In our session together, you will be listened to, respected, non-judged, held up and attended to. I will witness your courage, accountability and action towards your healing. In a collaborative manner, we will work towards healing the emotional, physical, mental and spiritual.
"Healing justice means that we begin to value care, emotional labour and resilience, not as add-ons but as central components of sustainability that restore us to life."
- Prentis Hemphill
Areas of Practice
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Trauma Counselling
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Decolonizing and Ancestral Practices
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Anti-Oppression and Feminist Practices
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ADHD/ADD
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EMDR
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Narrative Therapy
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Decolonial Somatics
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Attachment-based
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Parenting and caregiving
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Expressive Arts
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Solution-Focused
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Psychodynamic
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Harm-reduction and substance use
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Mindfulness Techniques
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Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
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Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT)
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Vocational
Contact Me
I am currently taking new clients across Canada. You can book a free phone consultation here:
You can also email me directly at:
If you are an existing client, feel free to book online here. If you can't find a booking please email me directly.
Frequently Asked Questions
How are sessions offered?
I am offering sessions by telehealth and phone. I offer sessions Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9:15am to 4:00 pm (UTC-08:00).
What are the fees?
$160 per 50-minute session for individuals who are 13+.
$190 per 80-minute session for individuals who are 13+.
$210 per 80-minute session for relationship counselling.
Receipts are provided to you with my registration numbers which you can submit for reimbursement through any EAP/EFAP, Extended Health, or other health insurance program, should you qualify.
Please contact your human resources department or insurer to confirm whether you are eligible for coverage of counselling services by a Registered Social Worker (RSW) or Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC).
Payment is Interac e-transfer or credit card. Payment by credit card incurs an additional processing fee.
I am enrolled with Direct Deposit eClaims to offer more accessibility.
What financial coverage is available?
I am a Registered Social Worker (RSW). Revenue Canada recognizes Social Work as a health profession and exempts Registered Social Workers from charging GST for their clinical counselling services. Further, clinical services provided by RSWs can be claimed on clients' income tax returns. In accordance with the Medical Expense Tax Credit (METC), the Government of Canada will reimburse recipients of clinical services that have expenses greater than $2,109 in 2012 or 3 percent of the taxpayer's net income. See here for information.
I am also a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors.
I am a registered with the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) and provide coverage for counselling services for people who access the Mental Wellness and Counselling Program (MWCP), the Indian Residential Schools Resolution Health Support Program (IRS-RHSP), and the Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls (MMIWG) Program. For more information and eligibility please see here.
I am registered health provider for the Interim Federal Health Program which serves Refugees. This program provides coverage for 10 sessions. For more information and eligibility please see here.