Michaela, LMSW
Hi I am Michaela –
ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS
What’s therapy with me like? I would like to first acknowledge that therapy is a unique experience because in what other setting do we set out to share some of the most personal things about ourselves, our concerns, and the parts of ourselves we might try to hide from others. That is why I strive to create a space where you feel comfortable, accepted, and understood. A space where you can unburden and hopefully leave with a little less weight and a little more confidence that you got this. That's what therapy is like with me.
My approach is personalized and comprehensive. When working with children/parents, I incorporate Chicago Parent Program strategies to foster stronger connections, boost confidence, and reduce stress at home.
When working with adolescents or adults, I draw from a diverse range of evidence-based methods. If acronyms are important to you, some of the methods I regularly use include Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). I share these in case you're seeking a specific approach. With a wide range of training in different methods, my goal is to explore with you and find what works best for you.
Who do I work with? Children ages 3 and up, adolescents, and adults. Many of my clients come in for anxiety, depression, trauma and its aftershocks, life transitions, and women’s and maternal health concerns, including perinatal mental health and birth trauma.
My impacting identities are... I am a cisgender female, a mother, and a social worker. I was raised in a Christian home, but I would describe myself as more spiritual than religious.
I feel allied/aware/part of/informed/knowledgeable about... I feel allied with my clients. So, this means whether you are a part of the LGBTQA+ community, living with chronic illness, a trauma survivor, and/or a suicide survivor, I am open to working with you. More importantly, I am interested in hearing about your experience and learning from you.
I am best fit for a client who... is thinking about change and ready to take a baby step by connecting to therapy.
I am not a good fit for a client who... expects me to have a magical wand to make things instantly better. I wish I had a magical wand and could do that for people, but I don't. Therapy is a process, not an event, and healing takes time.
What makes me unique? I have worked with people who were having thoughts of suicide, thoughts of self-harm, or in a crisis for over 5 years before I became a social worker. What this means is that I don't hit a panic button if someone tells me that they are having thoughts of suicide. I understand that being human is hard; it's messy, and it can feel suffocating. I'm here to listen to your story and take that pause with you.
Did You know... You don't have to face whatever it is alone, and healing is possible. Think about it, when we get a cut, the blood clots, white blood cells are released to fight germs, and tissue regrows and strengthens. Our body has natural systems to help it heal, and so does our brain. Our brain is constantly processing and trying to heal. You can overcome anxiety, depression, nightmares, and get unstuck. Or at least that is the theory of Adaptive Information Processing (AIP), which is the foundational model for EMDR and I am a true believer in it, as I have done EMDR.
Any Pets? I have a dog named Petunia, but we like to call her Tuna, as well as two cats: Lily and Theo.
My favorite hobbies… In the colder months, my hobbies tend to be cozier: board games, reading, and crafting. In the warmer months, my hobbies have me outside and on the go: river floats, walks, and wind therapy aka motorcycle rides.