Michelle holds a Bachelor of Social Work degree from the University of Windsor and a Master of Social Work degree from McMaster University.  She is a registered social worker and an accredited family mediator serving Hamilton, Halton and Niagara regions. Her private practice provides specialized services related to families impacted by separation and divorce, including custody and access assessments, family mediation, reintegration therapy, voice of the child reports, parenting coordination, and therapeutic services for children and families impacted by divorce. She is a paneled member of the Office of the Children’s Lawyer and a consultant on high conflict custody disputes to child welfare agencies.

Michelle’s doctoral research will focus on how the understanding of the family justice system, including past and present legislative power, socially construct, authorize and legitimize the voice of the child in family law. She is a frequent presenter at national and international professional conferences in the area of high conflict separation/divorce and children’s mental health. She is a member of the Ontario College of Social Workers, Ontario Association of Social Workers, Association of Family and Conciliation Courts, and the Ontario Association of Family Mediators. She currently sits on the Board of Directors for the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts, Ontario Chapter, and she is the Past Chair of the Hamilton High Conflict Forum.