About…
“The work of restoration cannot begin until a problem is fully faced.”
Memberships:
Northwest Alliance for Psychoanalytic Study
Washington Mental Health Counselors Association
American Counseling Association
Photos courtesy of Poppi Photography
Hi, I am Michelle. I am a trauma-informed psychotherapist. Originally from the Midwest, I have called Olympia my home for over two decades. Throughout my life, I have had a strong desire to help others. I have been particularly interested in how people’s stories have shaped their lives, including how their trauma has impacted them. Working through my own story has shown me the impact of my trauma and attachment wounds. This journey has inspired me to become a psychotherapist and help others heal and grow.
Becoming a psychotherapist was a long journey with many stops and turns. I attended college after high school, took a break to raise a daughter, and then completed my Bachelor’s in Criminal Psychology. I earned a Master's in Counseling Psychology at The Seattle School of Theology and Psychology, where I discovered my deep interest in relational and psychodynamic therapy.
Throughout my life, I have felt deeply driven to help others and have been inspired by the resilience and redemption of people, especially after traveling to Rwanda and witnessing the survivors of the 1994 genocide. Additionally, my experience at a community mental health agency working with individuals who have faced various challenges has further motivated me to continue on the journey of helping others.
I believe the most important aspect of therapy is the relationship between us, my client, and myself. From this relationship, healing and change can occur. I use a narrative, relational psychodynamic, and attachment approach, looking for relational patterns, attachment styles, and the impact of trauma on your story. Together, we will work to understand how these aspects have impacted you and how change can occur.
We are meant to live a life full of hope, connection, and restoration. Difficult life experiences and trauma can strain our hope and break our relationships. Through therapy, we can look toward the future by exploring the past. Together, we can find the path forward towards restoration, one step at a time.
