Michelle believes that working with a therapist who is invested to help build motivation for change can alter the course of a person’s life. She strives to help to empower change by creating a safe, nonjudgmental space for a person to explore life transitions, relationships, as well as mental health and addiction challenges. It takes a lot of courage to take the first step in finding a professional who can walk alongside you on your journey.
Her areas of clinical interest include Polyvagal Theory, Somatic Therapy, and training and supervision of providers in both the mental health and substance use field. She likes recognizing provider’s strengths and helping them increase their potential. Working with the criminal justice population and the severe and persistent mental health population is something she enjoys and has expertise and training in. Specifically, first episode psychosis, schizophrenia, and other psychotic disorders. She likes working with the most difficult clients and consulting with providers in the most complex cases. Currently Michelle is pursuing intensive EMDR training to become an approved EMDR consultant to train providers.
Michelle says that having a good work/life balance and enjoying time for work is how she has been successful in her career for as long as she has. In what free time she does have, she enjoys researching and reading to increase her knowledge and stay in the know of topics relevant to her work, spending time with her 7 (almost 8) grandchildren, one of whom she is raising, driving her Jeep through the mountains, and going to the movies. Michelle is originally from Springfield/Lamar area, but currently lives in Colorado Springs. Fun fact, she is addicted to Dutch Brothers.
Graduate Education:
University of Phoenix – Masters in Marriage, Family and Child Therapy
Undergraduate Education:
University of Phoenix – Bachelors in Psychology
Lamar Community College – Associates in Early Childhood Education
Residency Education:
Internship at El Paso County Sheriff’s Office Reintegration and Recovery Mental Health Program
Experience:
- Mental Health Treatment & Substance Abuse Treatment – jails, community mental health centers, homeless shelters, integrated care centers, private practice
- Clinical Supervision
- Training providers to various auditing agency standards
- Crisis Intervention and Prevention training – M1 procedures, safety planning, Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality (CAMS)
Special Achievements/Awards:
Approved Clinical Supervisor
EMDR Certification and Consultant in Training
CBT Trained
DBT Certification
Licensed Professional Counselor & Licensed Addiction Counselor
Trained in Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality
