Meet Michelle!
I am a Licensed Clinical Marriage and Family Therapist with over 10 years of clinical experience. I’ve been a clinical therapist for over 10 years with a down-to-earth, understanding personality. My work is grounded in meeting clients exactly where they are. I believe therapy is most effective when it’s realistic and tailored to each person’s experiences and needs.
My Approach
I approach therapy from a systemic perspective, believing that to truly understand our lives, we must look at the bigger picture. Our challenges are typically multi-faceted, so by understanding our personality, upbringing, relationships, and values that shape us, I help clients gain clarity and insight on their self and current situations. I balance between the logical and emotional parts of our brains. I take a gentle yet curious approach to
further understanding our emotions, deeper needs and wishes, and attachments in our lives. Alongside, I collaboratively look at options, steps and goals for you to bring change to the things you say and do (only if you want).
Who I See
-Adults
-Anyone wanting to better understand themselves, their relationships, and their needs
-Are you the one feeling angry often, but can’t put your finger on it. Let’s talk coping skills,
understanding it, and maybe even decreasing the moments. Or maybe you just need to let
your anger out in session, I get it, come as you are.
-Anxious, worrying, or having a hard time focusing
-Needing to sort through a complicated relationship rather it is spouse, family member,
friend, or even a co-worker
-Life transitions Career change, becoming a parent, empty nesting, menopause
-Grief of a loved one, break-up, or anything important to us
-Perinatal and Postpartum care
-Domestic Violence
-Something else? Reach out, let’s talk more and see if I’m a fit
-Couples
-Communication and all it entails, shut downs, frequent arguing, escalations, unhelpful
conversations. Let’s understand our patterns, deeper needs, and work towards a new way
-Conflict Resolution and grid locked issues
-Infidelity. Rather it’s been recently discovered and in crisis or bubbling up from the past.
-Disconnect, misunderstanding, and a lack of closeness
-Intimacy—a subject I won’t shy away from, yet only invite in at the level couples are
comfortable with.
Public Speaking, Workshops, and Retreats
In addition to therapy, I LOVE to teach on these topics! With five years of experience, which includes over 100 presentations, I have ventured to businesses, churches, and given webinar workshops on mental health topics and empowering business. This includes workshops with businesses (as a whole or upper management only) navigating difficult relationships in the workplace, burnout, navigating challenging times, generational differences, and increasing collaboration and cohesion. Quite frankly, I nerd out on research with work-life balance. I love deepening values at churches and small groups on
topics such as healthy relationships, parenting, anxiety, and stress.
More about me
Being a family therapist has been a lifelong passion of mine, and it is for that reason I have a natural understanding of behaviors, feelings, and interactions. I have pursued further education on couples methods including EFT and Level 1 and 2 of The Gottman
Method. I am actively pursuing a certification in sexuality and intimacy through AASECT and level one AEDP, which specializes in attachment, trauma and experiential therapy.
Other experience includes working at a domestic violence shelter. I have extensive experience working with children who have special needs, neurological disorders, including but not limited to Autism, Tourette’s Syndrome, ADHD, and OCD.
I have a Bachelor of Science in Family Studies and Human Services with a Minor in American Ethnic Studies through Kansas State University. I pursued higher education in North Carolina through Pfeiffer University, and obtained a Master’s of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy through Friends University.