https://michellehamwellness.janeapp.com/

Michelle Ham Wellness, 208 Provencher Boulevard, Suite 2, Winnipeg, MB (2025)

11/25/2025

✨

‘My Inside Helpers’ was created to support children in understanding their inner world, and to support the grownups who are learning to understand their own, too.

Through simple, accessible language, it helps children make sense of what’s happening inside their bodies, while inviting adults into a kinder, more compassionate relationship with their own inner experience.

The pre-publish downloadable PDF includes:
• The full children’s story
• The relational, shame-softening grownup guide
• Language that helps both children and adults recognize what their bodies are communicating
• A framework for connection, attunement, and repair—even in messy moments

A beautifully illustrated hardcover version is currently being brought to life with local artist Melodie Devlin-Joyal. As that creative process unfolds, I felt compelled to make My Inside Helpers available now as a downloadable resource—so the content can support families and caregivers right away.

If you’re working toward felt safety, co-regulation, and more compassionate internal awareness—this is for you.

Pre-publish PDF: now available for purchase
🔗 Link in bio
💬 Comment ‘HELPERS’ for the direct link

09/11/2025

Being with. ✨

A phrase I come back to again and again, both in my own life and in the therapy room. Not because it’s simple or neat (it really isn’t), but because it matters.

For most of us, the instinct when something painful shows up is to move away from it—fix it, explain it, outwork it, distract ourselves until it passes. And this makes sense. Our nervous systems are wired for survival, and those patterns probably kept us safe at some point. But what once worked often starts to feel heavy or clunky later on.

“Being with” asks something different. It’s about gently turning toward what’s happening inside rather than stepping over it or shutting it down. Not to analyse it or make it disappear, but to notice. To stay. To offer a little curiosity.

Sometimes that looks like placing a hand over your chest, taking one slower breath, or catching yourself in the middle of a perfectionist spiral and saying, “I see you. We don’t have to do it this way anymore.”

It’s slow work, and often imperfect. But over time, these tiny moments of presence soften the old grooves and make space for something new to grow.

I’d love to hear what helps you stay present when things feel overwhelming.

05/09/2025

This week, we honour the mothers.

The ones who raised us, the ones we are becoming, and the ones we’ve lost.

We honour the fierce, nurturing energy that protects, nourishes, and anchors us through life.

Attachment research shows us how vital it is to feel safe, seen, soothed, and secure in early relationships. When we have that, it becomes the ground we grow from.

As so powerfully reminds us, mothering is not just soft—it’s fierce. It’s the sacred work of showing up, again and again, with tenderness and protection.

But I also want to name that this day holds complexity.

For those grieving the loss of a mother…

For those whose mothers couldn’t show up with the safety they needed…

For those yearning to mother or mother again…

For those breaking cycles and learning to reparent themselves.

I see you. You are not alone.

Whether you are mothering others, being mothered, or mothering yourself—your nervous system, your story, and your healing matter deeply.

Happy Mother’s Day. With love and reverence for it all.
ham.wellness

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04/15/2025

We all need to call upon our coping strategies from time to time. To get us through. Scrolling, zoning out, pushing forward—it’s not wrong. It’s our nervous system doing what it knows how to do to keep us safe.

But coping can be exhausting. Like treading water—we stay afloat, but we never really rest.

Regulation is something different. It’s our body remembering safety. It’s floating instead of fighting. It’s when our system starts to whisper, “Maybe we don’t have to brace right now.”

And no, regulation doesn’t mean being calm all the time. It means being with ourselves—even in the mess. It’s a moment of connection, a soft place to land. The breath of a pet. A song that grounds us. A quiet moment with someone safe.

Regulation is what makes healing possible—not by force, but by felt safety.

If we’re tired of treading, we can start small. Just notice one thing that helps us float, even for a few seconds. That’s enough.

I’d love to hear some of your regulating resources… please share!

✨

03/31/2025

Our bodies carry the stories we don’t speak.
The cries we swallowed.
The impulses we tucked away.
The moments that never got to happen.

This isn’t just about what we lived through—
it’s about what our nervous systems still hold.

We move slowly, not because we’re stuck,
but because we’re learning to listen.
To feel what once had to be silenced.
To offer warmth where there was once fear.
To remember what safety feels like—together.

If this speaks to you, you’re not alone.
We’re walking each other home.
ham.wellness

01/16/2025

Let’s take a moment.

Pause. Breathe.

Where do you notice? Are you in ventral (grounded, connected), sympathetic (energized, mobilized), dorsal (slowed, withdrawn), or maybe somewhere in-between?

Here’s the thing: it’s not about pushing ourselves to feel calm or trying to ‘fix’ where we are. It’s about noticing—attuning to our bodies and the cues they’re offering.

Sometimes, we call our stress states—sympathetic or dorsal—our ‘home away from home.’ If that resonates, know you’re not alone. These states may feel familiar, even safe, in their own way.

What might happen if we just let ourselves be where we are for a moment? What if, instead of pushing toward ventral or calm, we explored what our system needs right now? Maybe it’s metabolizing some of that sympathetic energy—a walk, a stretch, a release. Or maybe it’s offering kindness to the heaviness of dorsal—a warm blanket, a small sensory input, or simply saying, ‘It’s okay to be here for now.’

And when we’re ready, we can invite in cues of safety—gently, intentionally, and without pressure. A breath. A kind word. Connection.

This is the practice: noticing, naming, and creating space to care for where we are, rather than rushing to where we think we ‘should’ be.
ham.wellness

01/01/2025

An invitation to let this year be about moving toward what feels right—not what we think ‘should’ be.

A gentle unfolding, one step at a time, guided by curiosity, presence, and what we truly need.

Here’s to a year of deeper connection with ourselves and with community.

✨

06/11/2024

Our humanity is deeply interconnected, echoing Desmond Tutu’s words: “My humanity is bound up in yours, for we can only be human together.” Our wellness thrives in connection, where being seen, held, and supported by our community is essential. Some of us may not be afforded moments of co-regulation (now or when we were small), which makes the concept of self-regulation inaccessible. This underscores the importance of finding spaces where connection and support are prioritized, no matter how old we are.

As I prepare to transition my practice from Safe Harbour Therapy, where my journey as a therapist began, to Forest Lane Therapy on July 1st, I’m filled with gratitude. Safe Harbour has been integral to my growth and development, providing a community where I have been seen and supported. I carry forward this felt sense of being in community with me to Forest Lane Therapy, where I’m excited to join a collective of remarkable healers. Together, we will continue to honour the power of connection, co-regulation, and understanding as the foundation of our work.

ham.wellness

05/15/2024

I recently had the wonderful opportunity to be a guest on the Fearless Practice podcast. It was an exciting experience where we explored topics that resonate with many of us.

If you feel called to, I warmly invite you to listen to the episode. Your support and feedback would be so appreciated.

Here's how you can tune in and share your thoughts:

1. Listen to the episode here:

[Fearless Practice on iTunes](https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/fearless-practice/id1598058243?i=1000655649664).

2. If you're moved to, please leave a rating or review directly on iTunes.

Thank you for your continued support and for being such an integral part of my community. Your engagement means the world to me. ✨

03/28/2024

In the ebb and flow of life’s demands, we can find ourselves overlooking the subtle cues our bodies send us, signalling the need for meaningful rest.

Much of my work revolves around guiding clients to attune to their internal experiences, to turn inward and listen to the often-quiet voice within. This practice is not just a method but a journey toward deeper self-awareness and understanding of our own needs. Yet, even with this knowledge, I found myself caught in the whirlwind of managing my practice, navigating the peaks and valleys of motherhood, and juggling the overall busyness of life.

Earlier this week, my body ditched the subtle cues and sounded a loud alarm—demanding the meaningful rest I had inadvertently pushed aside. Through this forced pause, I’m reminded that, despite our best efforts, we can stray from the very balance we seek to create.

My recent experience is a humbling reminder of the importance of listening to our bodies before they’re compelled to shout for our attention.

As we approach the long weekend, I invite you to join me in embracing meaningful rest. Finding those quiet moments of pause, allowing ourselves to reconnect with our internal rhythms.

This weekend, my hope is to prioritize not just the doing but the being. In the stillness, may we all find the space to breathe and listen deeply.

✨
ham.wellness

03/18/2024

Maybe you've considered becoming a certified Child-Centered Animal-Assisted Therapy Practitioner in the past, but it just wasn't the right time. Luckily, the course is back! 🎉

If you are a...
👉 Counsellor/Therapist
👉 Social Worker
👉 Occupational Therapist
👉 Or in a similar field from an accredited university
..visit our website to learn more about training for this incredible certification! 💜

🔗 lilstepswellness.com/professional-development

03/10/2024

Quote contributed by Michelle Ham

My thoughts: As a therapist, I hold Dr. Gabor Maté's perspective on Compassion close to my heart, as it resonates deeply with the core principles of my practice. His words, “Compassion is the antidote to the disconnection that causes so much suffering. In a compassionate space, we can feel safe, connected, and understood. This is where true healing begins,” beautifully articulates the foundation of the therapeutic journey.

In my work with clients, I strive to create a compassionate space where individuals can feel a profound sense of safety and connection. I believe that it is within this nurturing environment that understanding and empathy flourish. When clients feel genuinely heard and understood, they begin to bridge the gaps of disconnection that often contribute to their suffering. This understanding fosters a deeper connection not only with others but also with themselves.

I have witnessed how Compassion can be a powerful catalyst for change and healing. It allows us to explore and embrace our vulnerabilities without fear of judgment, leading to authentic growth and transformation. My approach is anchored in this belief – that through compassionate interaction, we can access our innate capacity to heal and find a path towards a more fulfilling and balanced life. Dr. Maté's quote encapsulates this philosophy and guides my practice, reminding me that at the heart of healing lies the profound power of compassionate connection.

Book with Michelle today at: https://safeharbour.janeapp.com/ #/staff_member/40

Michelle Ham Wellness

11/25/2025

09/11/2025

05/09/2025

04/15/2025

03/31/2025

01/16/2025

01/01/2025

06/11/2024

05/15/2024

03/28/2024

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03/10/2024

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