Michelle Tran
Hi, I’m Michelle Tran, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. I’ve been practicing for 13 years and have had the opportunity to work with adolescents, adults, and older adults in a variety of settings, including inpatient programs, community mental health, college counseling, and emerging mental health organizations that integrate technology and data into care. Working in different environments has given me the opportunity to support people from many different backgrounds and life experiences. It has also taught me that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to therapy. Each person brings their own story, strengths, challenges, and perspective, and I believe therapy should reflect that. My goal is to create a space where you can feel comfortable being yourself, feel genuinely heard, and know that you don’t have to navigate everything on your own. I value getting to know each person as an individual, meeting you where you are, and continuing to learn from the diverse people and communities I have the privilege of working with.
First session
Starting therapy can feel overwhelming. You’re sitting across from someone you’ve never met and may be preparing to share parts of yourself that you’ve never shared with anyone before. I want you to know that it’s okay to feel nervous, uncertain, or even unsure of where to begin. My hope is that from our first session, you feel welcomed, comfortable, and truly seen. Our first session is an opportunity for us to get to know each other and begin understanding what brings you to therapy. We’ll talk about your mental health history, what you’re currently experiencing, and what you hope to get out of therapy. We’ll also begin identifying goals together so we have a way to understand and track your progress over time. Most importantly, there’s no expectation that you have everything figured out on day one. We’ll take it one step at a time. I often tell my clients that even though we’re starting therapy today, we’re also starting to plan for your graduation. My goal is to help you develop the insight and tools you need to eventually feel confident navigating life on your own.
Strengths
My goal is to create a space where you can feel comfortable being yourself. I believe therapy works best when it feels collaborative, genuine, and judgment-free. I’ll meet you where you are, while also gently challenging you when I think it may help you grow or see something from a different perspective. I show up authentically in session, and I encourage my clients to do the same. You don’t have to have everything figured out before coming to therapy. I believe that my clients are often the experts on their own lives and may already have many of the answers they’re looking for. My role is to help you slow down, explore what’s underneath the surface, and develop greater awareness of your thoughts, emotions, patterns, and needs. Together, we can make sense of what you’re experiencing and work toward creating meaningful change in a way that feels right for you.
Ideal clients
You may be at a point in your life where you’re ready for something to change, but you’re not quite sure what that change needs to look like. Maybe you’re navigating a transition, feeling stuck, or noticing patterns in your relationships, thoughts, or behaviors that you’d like to better understand. I enjoy working with people who are curious about themselves and open to exploring what’s beneath the surface. We can take time to understand where your patterns and coping strategies come from, how they may have helped you in the past, and whether they’re still serving you today. I believe therapy is most meaningful when it’s collaborative. I’m not here to tell you what you should do or solve your problems for you. Instead, I’ll offer guidance, perspective, and thoughtful questions to help you develop greater self-awareness and clarity. My hope is that you leave therapy feeling more connected to yourself and more confident in your ability to navigate life in a way that feels authentic to you.
Treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
CBT looks at the connection between our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. I often use CBT to help you notice patterns in the way you think and respond to situations, especially when those patterns may be keeping you stuck. Together, we can explore different ways of looking at things and practice new ways of responding that feel more helpful and aligned with the changes you want to make.
Person-centered (Rogerian)
I believe you are the expert on your own life. Sometimes, we already have a sense of what we need or what’s not working, but it can be difficult to see clearly when we’re in the middle of it. My humanistic approach is about creating a space where you can be yourself, feel heard and accepted, and explore what’s really going on without judgment. I’ll be there to listen, offer perspective, and ask questions that may help you discover some of your own answers.
Strength-Based
I don’t believe therapy should only focus on what’s wrong or what needs to be fixed. We’ll also look at what you’re already doing well, the strengths that have helped you get through difficult experiences, and the resilience you may not always recognize in yourself. From there, we can build on those strengths while developing new skills and perspectives to help you move toward the changes you want to make.
Psychodynamic
Sometimes, what we’re experiencing today is connected to things we’ve experienced in the past. Psychodynamic therapy gives us an opportunity to slow down and explore those connections. We may look at past experiences, relationships, and patterns that have shaped the way you see yourself and interact with others. Understanding where these patterns come from can help you make sense of yourself and decide what you want to change moving forward.
Location
Virtual sessions