Michelle Hayes is a Registered Social Worker with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers.  Michelle obtained her Bachelor Degree in Social Work at the University of Windsor and in 1999 began her career with the Children’s Aid Society.  At the same time, Michelle worked at Hotel Dieu Grace Hospital as a Crisis Mental Health Social Worker in the emergency room helping individuals with serious mental health problems. 

In 2002, Michelle graduated from McMaster University with a Master of Social Work.  After the completion of her graduate degree, Michelle accepted a position with Catholic Family Services Windsor-Essex County where she provided counseling for children, adolescents and adults for a variety of issues.  She also provided Employee Assistance Program services to contracted corporations.  She engaged in private practice where she offered counseling services to children and their families.

Since that time, Michelle has moved to Hamilton and has worked in both children's mental health with McMaster Chiildren's Hospital and for the Office of the Children’s Lawyer, conducting custody and access assessments.  She has received training in Alternative Dispute Resolution, Play Therapy, Couple and Family Therapy, child abuse and mental health, and is certified in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.  She has also presented on topics including children’s mental health, child welfare, healthy relationships and caregiver stress.