Hi, I'm Michele Purvin. Life can be tough and unfair sometimes. Especially, if you are just starting out and you feel like you have no clue how to handle some of the life's complex challenges thrown at you. Or sometimes the pain of life is just too great, too overwhelming, and you feel completely alone and stuck with a problem. Or maybe you just need someone to listen to you and give you a different perspective. This is where I can help you. I will treat you with respect and compassion and listen carefully with empathy to your problems. I will hold a safe and confidential space for you to share your thoughts and feelings. We will work together to help you become aware of your thoughts and feelings about a problem, and how to look at those problems in different, more manageable ways. Rather than adopting only one methodology for all individuals and issues, I draw from a variety of methods that are most effective for each individual and situation. I take a strength perspective by focusing on what your strengths are and how we can build on those strengths to reach your potential. I'm a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor (LCDC) providing therapy services in Texas and Utah. I have been in private practice for over 10 years. As a Texas native, I grew up in a bi-cultural, tri-lingual Swiss German American household in the United States and Switzerland. I learned at an early age to transcend the boundaries in a rapidly changing world. I look forward to meeting with you, and discussing how I can best help you reach your goals to live your best life.

What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?

A first therapy session is 50 minutes long and it is a time for you and me to get to know each other and establish trust. The session's goals are to set expectations and determine if the I am a good fit for your needs. During the session, I may ask you questions about your life, background, and what brought you to therapy. I may also ask you about: Your symptoms When you think problems may have started What steps you've taken to feel better Your hopes for treatment Your past experiences with therapy Your coping strategies Any physical symptoms related to your situation I will also share my background and qualifications, explain my confidentiality policy, and discuss my therapeutic orientation. I will summarize what you've shared and provide feedback. You may also need to complete additional forms. It is recommend prioritizing big topics early in the session, and not waiting until the end to share them.

Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.

Most of my clients say that I am a warm, empathetic and non-judgmental therapist. Talking to me is like talking to a friend, but a friend who doesn’t judge you, gently challenges you, really wants to understand and has compassion and respect for you. I will ask you a lot of questions. You are in control of how much or how little you feel like sharing with me. You decide what you want to unpack in the session. You can talk about anything you choose to talk about. The weather, a feeling or behavior that keeps you stuck or something you never thought you’d tell anyone. I have lived the pressures and challenges people in a University system face and I really understand the realities of college life. Plus I understand what it is like to live with trauma, addiction, anxiety, and depression and get a college and masters degree.

About Michele Frances Purvin, LCSW-S, LCDC