Hi, I’m Michelle.

The idea of therapy is scary. Not knowing who you will be baring your innermost thoughts and feelings to is terrifying. It is important that you and your therapist have the right fit. Feeling comfortable and safe is one of the primary building blocks of effective treatment.

We all have assumptions about what therapists look like and how they are supposed to act. Which is why, when I often hear from my clients, “You were not what I expected,” I (usually) take that as a compliment.

I’m not your “typical,” stuffy academic, but I can be nerdy (especially about fantasy literature and brain science). I strive to be somewhat fashionable, and don’t wear blazers with elbow patches. I drink tea but I also drink wine. Cursing is allowed in session, and sometimes even encouraged. I listen to NPR, but also watch reality television.

I am genuine. I have a dry sense of humor. I am goofy and embrace my imperfections. I am a working mother of two, and a wife. I get frazzled during the kids’ morning routines. I understand that figuring out what to make for dinner (every night!) is hard, and that life isn’t always glamourous.

“Have the courage to be imperfect”

— Alfred Adler

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My Approach to Therapy

  • It is a collaboration with you.

  • I will work as hard as you do.

  • I will strive to empower you.

  • We will create goals together.

  • I will focus on what you want to accomplish.

  • We will tap into your own unique set of strengths.

  • We can work at your own pace.

  • We will Identify past difficulties and how they effect your life

  • There is not a one-size fits all for treatment, it will be designed for your own specific needs.

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What to Expect From Me?

  • I will ask you to take care of yourself.

  • I will challenge your belief that you need to sacrifice yourself for others.

  • I will explore your whole-person health and lifestyle.

  • We will discuss past trauma and emotional triggers as you are ready.

  • I will believe you when you say you are struggling, regardless of how trivial you may feel your concerns are.

  • I will not judge you.

  • I will empathize that “having it all” is a joke.

  • I will believe in your ability to heal yourself before you do.

  • I will see you as capable and resilient.

After all, that is what you deserve.

Education and Training

If you care about this sort of thing.

 

Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Indiana

Master of Social Work from Andrews University, Berrien Springs, MI

Post Partum Support International Certificate of Training & Advanced Therapy Training.

EMDR Consultants, Inc. Certificate of Completion of EMDR Training I&II

EMDRIA Certified EMDR Provider

Mental Health Integrative Medicine Provider Training: Nutritional and Integrative Medicine for Mental Health Professionals Completion

Dealing with Avoidance in EMDR Therapy EMDR Consultants & EMDRIA

Intro to IFS for EMDR therapists Syzygy Institute EMDR/IFS Training Step I

IFS Informed EMDR Training Syzygy Institute IFS/EMDR Training Step II

Experience

This does not sum up who I am or what I have done, but sometimes people like to know what work their therapist has done. If this helps you feel confident in my ability, then read away!

 

  • I have been practicing therapy for over 20 years in a variety of settings.

  • I have therapy experience with children, adolescents, teens and adults. I now focus solely on adult women.

  • I have worked with children (and adults) of neglect and abuse as well as their parents and foster parents.

  • While I insert trauma-informed work into my therapy style, I am not trained in the attachment speciality. This is important to know in case you are seeking this type of treatment as it is outside of my scope of practice.

  • My treatment modalities include cognitive-behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, solution-focused therapy, interpersonal therapy, internal Family Systems informed work and EMDR.

  • While working with 4 psychiatrists, I was responsible for diagnostic evaluations and treatment recommendations for psychiatric care. This means I have a lot of experience in helping you understand what is happening with your mental health.

  • I provide supervision to unlicensed clinicians to assist them in building their therapeutic tool kit.

  • I use positive discipline strategies (Jane Nelson) and draw on the works of Dreikurs and Adler for my parenting education.

  • I have done medical and school social work, but my passion is psychotherapy.

Bottom Line:

Self-care isn’t just a bath or getting your hair done (although both can be therapeutic).

It is about building a life that you don’t need a break from.

Self-care starts now. Are you ready?