I’m a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a deep commitment to helping others navigate life’s most difficult moments. I earned my Master’s degree from CSU East Bay in 2017 and spent the next six years working as a school-based therapist, supporting youth and families through complex emotional and behavioral challenges. In 2023, I transitioned into private practice to work more closely with individuals navigating trauma, transitions, and personal growth.
Beyond my professional experience, I bring a lived understanding of resilience. I’m a former foster youth, a military veteran, and a mom. I’ve been a caregiver, and I’ve experienced profound loss, including the grief of losing a child. These experiences have shaped my approach to therapy—grounded in compassion, directness, and a belief in each person’s capacity to heal and grow.
Outside the therapy room, I find joy and grounding in horses, the ocean, and all things emo. I’m a fan of anime, have a soft spot for my corgi and cats, and live in San Diego with my teen. You’ll often spot me with purple hair—a little reflection of creativity, individuality, and embracing who we are.
Therapy with me is real, human, and deeply supportive. I meet you where you are, with a mix of warmth, humor, and clinical skill to help you find clarity, healing, and a renewed sense of purpose.
Why Choose My Services?
Finding the right therapist can feel overwhelming—navigating insurance, sharing your story, and hoping for a good fit. I aim to make that process feel more grounded and supportive. I bring not only years of clinical training and experience, but also a deep understanding shaped by my own life challenges. My approach is warm, compassionate, and direct, and I tailor each session to meet you where you are.
My Areas of Specialty
My areas of specialty include trauma, life transitions, and anxiety. I work with individuals who are navigating the emotional impact of past experiences, facing the uncertainty of major life changes, or feeling stuck in patterns that no longer serve them. Whether you’re processing the end of a relationship, questioning your career path, or managing persistent anxiety, I provide a safe and supportive space to explore these challenges. Using a trauma-informed, integrative approach, I help clients build insight, strengthen inner resilience, and move toward greater clarity and confidence.
The treatment approaches I use
Trauma & Identity-Focused Approaches
Trauma-Informed Care
This approach honors the impact of trauma on your mind and body. I create a safe, supportive space that prioritizes emotional safety, trust, and choice, so healing can happen without retraumatization.
Narrative Therapy
Narrative therapy helps you explore and reframe the stories you tell about yourself. Together, we’ll work to shift limiting beliefs, reclaim your voice, and reconnect with your values and strengths.
Person-Centered Therapy
At the core of this approach is empathy, unconditional positive regard, and respect. I meet you where you are, offering space to be heard and supported without judgment.
Anxiety, OCD & Emotion Regulation
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT focuses on how your thoughts influence your emotions and behaviors. We’ll work to identify negative thinking patterns and replace them with more balanced, supportive ways of thinking and responding.
Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)
ERP is a gold-standard treatment for OCD and certain anxiety disorders. It involves gradually facing feared thoughts or situations while resisting compulsive responses, helping to reduce anxiety over time.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
DBT combines skills in mindfulness, emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness. It’s particularly helpful if you experience intense emotions or struggle in relationships.
Motivation, Values & Goal-Oriented Work
Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT)
SFBT is a short-term, strengths-based approach that helps you identify what’s working and take small, intentional steps toward your goals. The focus is on solutions—not problems.
Motivational Interviewing (MI)
MI helps clarify your goals and increase motivation for change. Through collaborative, nonjudgmental conversation, we’ll explore what matters most to you and how to move toward it.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
ACT supports you in accepting difficult thoughts and emotions while committing to actions that align with your values. It’s about building a meaningful life, even in the face of challenges.
Flexible & Strength-Oriented Approaches
Strength-Based Therapy
This approach focuses on your internal resources, resilience, and past successes. We’ll identify your strengths and use them as a foundation for growth and healing.
Integrative Therapy
I draw from multiple modalities and tailor sessions to your specific needs, personality, and goals. Therapy isn’t one-size-fits-all, and this flexible approach ensures we use what works best for you.
Common Issues I Work With:
Feeling stuck or overwhelmed by life transitions
Recovering from trauma or difficult past experiences
Anxiety and excessive worry
Relationship challenges or breakups
Low self-esteem and self-worth
Career dissatisfaction or burnout
Grief and loss
Difficulty setting boundaries or asserting needs
Life direction, purpose, or identity exploration
Perfectionism and fear of failure
Emotional dysregulation and impulsivity
Coping with major decisions or change
Creative blocks or performance anxiety
Chronic stress or feeling emotionally exhausted
Mental Health Conditions I Work With:
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Adjustment Disorders
Depression and mood-related challenges
Panic Disorder
Social Anxiety Disorder
Attachment-related issues
Borderline Personality Traits
Emotional and behavioral dysregulation
Mild to moderate disordered eating patterns (non-specialized)
Co-occurring trauma and anxiety
What My Clients Say
As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, I do not solicit reviews as this goes against the ethics of my profession. Some of the therapy platforms which I utilize to support my practice do provide clients the opportunity to leave reviews, and the following reviews come from these sites.
“I see improvements since meeting with Michelle and I appreciate not only her ability to listen, but also to redirect me into solutions when I am in a rabbit hole of emotion.”
“I have tried therapy a few times before never felt comfortable with the therapist. I feel like speaking with Michelle is a safe space and very comfortable.”
“I met Michelle when I was having a hard time coping with an abusive relationship. Michelle provided me the support and helped me manage my stress by setting weekly goals, allowing me express my feelings openly, and providing the kind of support that made me feel motivated. I started to look forward to our sessions and started to feel a sense of normalcy in myself as we continued our sessions.”
“She is amazing and really helps u dive deep on your journey to healing.”
“Michelle helps me so much with tools I can practice in my daily life.”
“Michelle is very present and calm. She asks very good questions and listens with an openness that encourages me to talk.”
“Michelle has provided a lot of inner peace a lot more self-confidence. You drive the best of me. I’m very lucky that that somehow I was connected with Michelle thank you.”
“i <3 ms michelle shes so helpful and loving.”
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