About Alice Mickelson, MSW RSW
Registered Social Worker
“For a child, it is in the simplicity of play that the complexity of life is sorted like puzzle pieces joined together to make sense of the world.” ― L.R. Knost
Alice brings over a decade of diverse experience working with adults, children, and youth. Grounding her practice in compassion and warmth, Alice supports individuals as they navigate the unique challenges they face. Drawing from attachment theory, neuroscience, and mindfulness, Alice helps clients gain a deeper understanding of their struggles, and also seeks to support clients with identifying their needs, uncovering inner resources, and moving toward their goals. She believes that every person – especially every child – is unique and sacred, and recognizes the inherent capacity for growth and change in everyone.
Alice has a deep personal and professional passion for supporting individuals and couples through the journey of building their families. She is well-equipped to provide support for IVF, recurrent pregnancy loss, miscarriage, adoption and other challenges related to infertility. Alice is dedicated to assisting those on this path, including same-sex couples, and recognizes that each family’s journey is unique. Furthermore, her extensive experience in the field of adoption includes helping families through the adoption process and serving as a counsellor for birth parents. Alice also worked as a family counsellor for Vancouver Aboriginal Child and Family Services Society and Urban Native Youth Association. Trained under Indigenous elders, Alice’s approach to working with Indigenous children and families is culturally relevant and trauma-informed.
In her practice, Alice utilizes a diverse toolkit, including play therapy when working with children – a form of counselling that allows children to work through challenges using their natural medium of expressive play. She fosters relationships with clients in which they feel truly seen and accepted. Alice is a strong advocate for the power of family, believing that cultivating a strong and supportive relationship between child and parent(s) or caregiver(s) is crucial to the therapeutic process. She supports parents in drawing upon their strengths and values to deepen their connection with their children of all ages.
“Whether you’re seeking guidance on a specific issue or simply looking for a safe space to explore your thoughts and feelings, I’m here to support you on your journey. Let’s work together to foster growth and resilience.”
Approaches: Directive and Non-Directive Play Therapy approaches, including: Child-Centered, Adlerian, and Cognitive Based Therapies; Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT); Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT); Attachment Theory; Compassion Focused, and Strengths-Based Approaches; Art Therapy; Somatic and Mindfulness Practices.
Populations: Children (5+), Youth, Adults, Indigenous Clients (FNHA).
Specializations: Adoption; Anxiety; Child Development; Depression; Infertility, Assisted Reproduction Processes (IVF) and Growing Families; Indigenous Clients (FNHA); Miscarriage and Recurrent Miscarriage; Parenting; Postpartum Related Issues; Relationship Issues; Emotional Dysregulation; Play Therapy; Trauma; and Grief and Loss.
Educational Background: Alice is a registered social worker with the BC College of Social Workers (BCCSW), and holds a Master of Social Work Degree from York University in Toronto. In addition, she completed a Bachelor of Social Work at Nicola Valley Institute of Technology, BC’s Indigenous Post Secondary Training Institute, as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology at Simon Fraser University. Alice is a member of the BC Association of Play Therapists (BCPTA) and the Canadian Fertility and Andrology Society (CFAS). Alice also has training in Play Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Structured Analysis Family Evaluation, and SAFE Babies.
Beyond the Work: Alice finds joy being with her partner and two children. She enjoys hiking and spending time outdoors, gardening and exploring the forests of Vancouver Island. She loves to read fiction and non-fiction as well as to cook and dive into creative endeavors.
Alice Mickelson, Registered Social Worker available for adult and child/youth counselling in Victoria
