My Journey…
I am a Clinical Psychologist. I have worked in the field of mental health for over sixteen years. Over the course of my career, I have worked in a variety of settings with clients of various ages and cultural backgrounds. I have worked with those presenting with a wide range of mental health challenges, as well.
I specialize in crisis intervention/management and trauma. I earned my doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology from the American School of Professional Psychology, a master’s in Counseling Psychology from Argosy University, and a BA in Psychology from California State University of Hayward (now California State University, Eastbay). I am licensed by the Washington State Department of Health as a Mental Health Counselor Associate, while currently partaking on the arduous additional licensing journey.
My method incorporates an empathic, practical, pleasant and relational approach to psychotherapy and Life coaching with clients and their families. I can attest to having strong diagnostic and clinical skills; while utilizing a relationship based approach to treatment. I incorporate essential current research in developmental psychology, cognitive and attachment theory in practice.
The journey of therapy or coaching is the client’s. My approach is to meet and join the client on their road while assisting in the navigation. A bio-psychosocial therapeutic approach of incorporating the mind and body, as well as the client’s support system is utilized when needed.
Journey Acknowledgements…
Dr. Michelle’s documented research…
Lectured at mental health conferences
(AABSS Conference, 2019)
Presented research describing trauma minimization and micro-aggressions in therapy at the American Psychological
(Association conference, 2019)
Presented research describing the stigma mental health continually receives and the dire need to encourage adolescent girls to participate in treatment as needed
(AABSS Conference, 2018)
The Coaching perspective…
Coaching is partnership (defined as an alliance, not a legal business partnership) between the Coach and the Client in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires the client to maximize personal and professional potential. It is designed to facilitate the creation/development of personal, professional or business goals and to develop and carry out a strategy/plan for achieving those goals.
The Client: is solely responsible for creating and implementing his/her own physical, mental and emotional well-being, decisions, choices, actions and results arising out of or resulting from the coaching relationship and his/her coaching calls and interactions with the Coach. As such, the Client agrees that the Coach is not and will not be liable or responsible for any actions or inaction, or for any direct or indirect result of any services provided by the Coach. Client understands coaching is not therapy and does not substitute for therapy if needed, and does not prevent, cure, or treat any mental disorder or medical disease.
What Client’s Are Saying
“
Dr. Michelle taught me so much about a subject I thought I was already an expert on: myself!
”
— Anonymous Coaching client (Katy)
“
I was able to work on certain relationships with others with Dr. Michelle’s coaching.
”
—Anonymous Coaching client(Amy)
“
My confidence at home and school is so much better! I stand up to the bullies now.
”
— Anonymous 10 yr old client
“
I let anxiety take over my life for too long. Now I have the strength to control my emotions and thoughts.
”
— Anonymous adult female therapy client
Motivation comes from within — and I’m here to help you activate it.
Chat with me
I am often not immediately available by phone. When I am with clients or out in the field, my phone is answered by confidential voice mail. You may leave a detailed message and I will return your call as soon as I am available. I do check my voice mail periodically throughout the workday. If you leave me a voice message during the weekend, I will return your call after the weekend.
If you have a crisis involving suicidal or homicidal situation or life threatening emergency, please call 9-1-1, or the Crisis Line at 1-888-427-4747, and/or go to the nearest emergency room. Do not email me if you are in crisis (suicidal or afraid for your life, at risk of harming yourself or someone else, severely mentally or medically ill, etc.).
I check emails daily, though I am not often available to receive and respond to messages immediately. If you have a non-crisis situation, which occurs on the weekend or after business hours please feel free to leave me a detailed message and I will return your call the next business day (206-639-3349).