About Us
A PASSION FOR RELATIONSHIPS
As a boy, he asked his father, “What’s the most important thing in life?” His father replied: “Relationships! There is nothing more important than being connected with the ones you love.”
After completing his undergraduate degree in Psychology, Justin Michel started conducting research on intercultural relationships. He then did a masters in Social and Personality Psychology, doing research on relationships, divorce, culture, stereotypes, and faith. He then did his second Master’s degree in Couple and Family Therapy at the University of Guelph. Throughout his education, he gained valuable insight and experience working with individuals, couples, and families.
A month after graduating, Justin decided to take a leap of faith and start his own private practice, branding himself as “Justin the Therapist”. He wanted to continue serving the Guelph community and also set roots in his hometown of Mississauga. As a therapist that offered not only individual therapy, but couple therapy and family therapy, he noticed he was helping people connect with what’s most important: partners, families, friends, culture, community, faith, and self. In less than a year, his practice was so full that he decided to expand. So he sought out highly skilled therapists with the same values and goals, and founded Building Bridges Psychotherapy.
The Building Bridges Psychotherapy logo, comprised of four people of different colours joining together, representing our values of connection and diversity.
WHY “BUILDING BRIDGES”?
Instead of having other therapists work at “Justin the Therapist”, Justin wanted to come up with a more inclusive name that would better represent the service offered by the therapists. In a world where many in power are trying to build walls to divide and separate us, Justin wanted his practice to do the opposite. He recognized the power of bridges: they connect two things that were previously disconnected, and they help overcome obstacles. Hence the name Building Bridges felt like a perfect fit for a practice that emphasizes the importance of connection and relationships for the benefit of mental well-being. This is why we believe that healing happens through connection.
We now have locations in Mississauga, Guelph, and Vaughan, as well as offering therapy remotely over phone and video. We have helped thousands of individuals, couples, and families, and are eager to explore how we may help you as well. You can learn more about our values, our team, our areas of focus (the issues we work with), and how we do therapy. You can also book a free consultation with any of our therapists.
Get Started Now!
To book an individual session with us, or if you have any questions about individual therapy, please do not hesitate to contact us. We offer a free 15-minute phone consultation that can be scheduled through our online booking system, or you can also book a session online.