Profile
Michelle is an 18 year (retired) York Regional Police Veteran having worked in a variety of units, from investigative, community service to front line. She received her PhD in Forensic Psychology with a specialization in Crisis Response in July 2021 and her Masters of Arts in Counselling Psychology in January, 2016. She is the Founder and Director of The Haven, a residential/outpatient wellness centre occupationally-specific and exclusive to our PSP in the midst of implementation. She is a Postdoc Researcher for the University of Alberta at HiMARC (Heroes in Mind, Advocacy and Research Consortium) and has co-authored various academic journals in PSP reintegration programming. She supports the publication of up-and-coming academic literature as a Peer Reviewer. Dr. Vincent is a Knowledge User in active research with top researchers at the University of Toronto in the mental health First Responder communities and has presented leading-edge mental health programming both in person and in-vivo at conferences. She has experience as a Research and Program Evaluation Specialist and is a published writer for Blueline Magazine, monthly column Holding the Line addressing a combination of mental health and policing. She delivers Peer Support Training for the Mood Disorders Society of Canada in both French and English and has extensive experience with Peer Support teams and the cultural dynamics that exist and differ within each Public Safety Personnel organization. She has volunteered as a Lead Call-Out Coordinator for York Region CISM team. Michelle is trained in Edmonton Police’s Reintegration After Critical Incident and Long-Term Leave programming, TA’s Equine Assisted Psychotherapy and has an extensive list of training in evidence-based mental health modalities specifically related to PTSD/mental wellness and First Responders/Uniform Personnel/Veterans, active, resigned and retired. She is a member of the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association, the Society for Police and Criminal Psychology, the American Psychological Association, the International Association of Chiefs of Police, as well as the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies. Michelle has created partnerships between The Haven and several leading-edge mental health organizations including our newest and most exciting partnership with Horse Sense North, Tranquil Acres, Guelph University, First Responders Mindfulness Network and Badge of Life Canada for which supported mental health facilitation in their Sole Sistas and Hero’s Call psycho-educational retreats. She received awards including the Wilson Kimbrough Award for Scholarly Work in Psychology and Criminal Justice with an Applied Focus for The Haven: The Opportunity for Effective Mental Health Inpatient Treatment that is Occupationally-Specific to First Responders and Uniformed Personnel and for Outstanding Therapist by BOLC. Michelle’s philosophy is, in partnership we can!
Researcher
Current Projects:
- Autonomic Modulation Training: A Biological Approach to Building Resilience and Wellness Capacity Among Police Exposed to Post-Traumatic Stress Injuries (PTSI)