(she/her)
I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with over 20 years of experience providing trauma-informed psychotherapy to individuals, couples, and families. I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Health and Human Services from California State University, Fresno in 1999, followed by a Master of Science in Counseling with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy in 2005. I am a certified EMDR therapist specializing in the treatment of trauma, attachment wounds, anxiety, depression, and relational distress. My clinical work is grounded in the understanding that unresolved traumatic experiences often shape emotional regulation, self-worth, relationship patterns, and the nervous system’s response to stress. Through EMDR therapy, I help clients safely process distressing memories, reduce emotional reactivity, and develop healthier beliefs about themselves and their relationships. My experience includes working extensively with children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families navigating complex emotional and relational challenges, including divorce, co-parenting difficulties, childhood trauma, attachment injuries, and family conflict. In couples therapy, I focus on how past trauma and unmet attachment needs can impact communication, emotional safety, trust, and connection within relationships. My professional background in community mental health provided extensive experience supporting diverse populations facing significant emotional, relational, and environmental stressors. This foundation continues to shape my commitment to providing culturally responsive, compassionate, and clinically sound care tailored to each client’s unique experiences and goals. I integrate EMDR with attachment-focused, strengths-based, and evidence-based therapeutic approaches to support healing and lasting change. I strive to create a safe, collaborative, and supportive therapeutic environment where clients feel seen, heard, and empowered throughout their healing journey. My goal is to help clients move beyond survival patterns, build resilience, strengthen relationships, and experience greater emotional balance, self-understanding, and overall well-being.
During the first session, I begin by creating a calm, welcoming environment where the client feels safe and respected. I explain my role and what therapy with me typically looks like, emphasizing that our work is collaborative and paced according to their comfort level. I acknowledge that starting therapy can feel intimidating and normalize any uncertainty they may be experiencing. I invite the client to share what brought them to therapy and what they are hoping will feel different in their life. As they speak, I listen closely for patterns related to trauma, attachment, and relational dynamics, while also attending to their emotional regulation and level of distress. I reflect back their experiences to help them feel seen and understood, validating the impact of past and present stressors without rushing into problem-solving. I ask gentle, open-ended questions about their relationships, family history, and any significant life transitions such as divorce, co-parenting challenges, or relational conflict. If trauma is present, I provide reassurance that we will not dive into painful details before they feel ready. I explain that my approach is trauma-informed and that safety and stabilization come first. I offer a brief overview of how attachment-based therapy and EMDR may be used in our work, describing these approaches in accessible language. I assess coping strategies, current supports, and emotional regulation skills, and we may practice a simple grounding exercise to establish a sense of containment. Before closing, we collaboratively identify initial goals and discuss what success in therapy might look like. I ensure the client leaves feeling grounded, supported, and clear about next steps, reinforcing that therapy is a process and that healing happens within a secure, trusting relationship built over time.
My therapeutic strengths include creating a safe, attuned environment where clients feel seen, understood, and emotionally supported. I bring a trauma-informed, attachment-based lens to my work, allowing me to effectively address how past experiences shape current emotions and relationships. With extensive experience and EMDR training, I am skilled at helping clients process trauma at a pace that promotes stability, healing, and lasting change.
My ideal client is someone who feels emotionally overwhelmed, stuck in painful patterns, or impacted by past or ongoing relational trauma. Many of the individuals, couples, and families I work with are navigating the effects of divorce, co-parenting challenges, attachment wounds, or unresolved trauma that continues to shape their relationships, emotions, and sense of self. They may struggle with anxiety, depression, or feeling disconnected—from themselves or from the people they care about. Ideal clients are often those who recognize that their reactions, relational conflicts, or emotional pain have deeper roots and are open to exploring how early experiences and trauma influence their present-day lives. They may feel exhausted from trying to “push through” or manage on their own and are ready for a more intentional, healing-focused approach. While they may feel unsure or apprehensive at first, they value a therapeutic relationship built on safety, trust, and genuine understanding. I work well with clients who are motivated to engage in therapy at a pace that feels respectful and supportive, even when the work feels challenging. This includes individuals seeking trauma-informed care, couples wanting to strengthen emotional connection and communication, and families striving to create healthier relational dynamics. Clients who benefit most are willing to develop insight, practice new skills, and gently confront painful experiences with support. My ideal client values culturally responsive care and appreciates a therapist who honors their lived experience without judgment. Together, we focus on healing trauma, strengthening emotional regulation, and fostering resilience so clients can move forward with greater clarity, security, and connection.
Other specialties
I identify as
EMDR
When I use EMDR in telehealth, I adapt the eight-phase protocol to ensure safety, regulation, and effectiveness in a virtual setting. I focus heavily on preparation, resourcing, and clear safety planning before reprocessing. I use remote bilateral stimulation such as on-screen visual tracking, alternating audio tones, or guided self-tapping. I pace sessions more slowly, check in frequently, and ensure clients leave grounded, making tele-EMDR a safe and effective option for trauma work.
Attachment-based
In my work, I use attachment-based therapy to help clients understand how early relational experiences shape their emotions, behaviors, and relationships. I focus on building a secure therapeutic relationship where clients feel safe, seen, and understood. Through attunement, emotional regulation, and exploration of attachment patterns, I support clients in developing healthier relationships, increased self-awareness, and a stronger sense of emotional security.
2 ratings with written reviews
May 1, 2026
Michelle was very personable and humorous. She really uplifted us while also being direct and honest about her thoughts on our potential outcome. I am excited to continue with Michelle and learn more about how we can be our best selves for one another.
February 15, 2026
Michelle is incredibly authentic and direct. I really appreciate her raw approach she tells the honest truth when it’s needed most. Even with her directness, I feel completely safe and able to open up, which has been vital in helping me work through my problems.