get to know me
Hi there, I’m Michaela. (she/her)
At my core, I believe that we are all emotional beings who are influenced by our connections to the people and world around us. My own upbringing was shaped by valuing social justice, understanding the importance of my personal relationships, and creating meaningful connections to my community. Not only as a therapist but as a human being, I enjoy connecting to others through the power of storytelling. Whether our stories are similar or different, I believe sharing them furthers human connection and understanding. It is through the fabric of our relationships that we are able to make larger impacts on our communities and world.
I was privileged to grow up in a culture of sex positivity, which has supported me in forming a secure relationship with exploring sex and sexuality. I view sexuality as something that is uniquely ours to define and honor the dynamic, fluid nature of our sexual identities and experiences. I strongly believe in the importance of a consent based approach, amplifying sexual autonomy, and encouraging curiosity and open mindedness in sexual exploration.
Outside of sessions, I enjoy being in nature, cooking new recipes, and passing time with my dog, Luna and cat, Roxie (who often make appearances during telehealth sessions). I deeply value my relationships with friends and family, and believe in staying active in community and other social causes.
I look forward to connecting with you and would be honored to accompany you on your therapeutic journey.
Please reach out to book a free 20 minute consultation.
education and background
I received my Masters of Arts in Marriage, Couple, and Family Therapy with a specialization in sex therapy from Lewis & Clark College in July 2021, during which I completed one year internships at William Temple House and the Lewis & Clark Community Counseling Center. My major coursework focused on the areas of systems theory, couple and family therapy, family and child development, law and ethics, substance abuse, clinical assessment, and diagnosis. Additionally, I completed specialized coursework in sex therapy and understanding systems of oppression. My clinical experience has included couples and sex therapy, exploration of sexuality and gender, grief and loss, as well as understanding experiences of past trauma.
I hold a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Spanish from the University of Arizona. While finishing my undergraduate degree I spent time living abroad in Viña del Mar, Chile and after college moved to Madrid, Spain where I taught English to adolescents and community college students for a year. After returning from Spain, I spent time working in the non-profit world in New York, NY and Houston, Texas, where I served as Assistant Director for the Belfer Institute for Latino and Latin American Affairs, focusing on coalition building and outreach between marginalized communities. During this time spent with a diverse array of community partners, I was drawn to the stories I witnessed and meaningful relationships that I formed. This combined with my long held beliefs in social justice, led me to reevaluate my professional direction and shift towards the field of relational systemic therapy.
philosophy and approach
I incorporate experiential, attachment-based, collaborative, and narrative therapy into my practice. In order to best approach our work together, I may integrate ideas from mindfulness, Internal Family Systems (IFS) theory, Sensate Focus, and other therapeutic modalities. I value a practice that is trauma informed and open to partners and individuals from a variety of backgrounds, genders, sexualities, relationship structures, and abilities. My practice is grounded in my own experiences with relationships, loss, sexuality, and self exploration. I cherish the therapeutic relationship and provide a secure and confidential space for clients to engage with their whole selves. Throughout our work together I will encourage transparency, viewing your feedback and suggestions as central to the therapeutic process.
As your therapist I value an authentic and trusting process. I believe that you are the expert of your experiences and that together we will create an engaging relationship that encourages transparent dialogues about your life story. I consider emotional experiencing to be a valuable piece of the therapeutic process. In our work together I will move towards emotions with compassion and curiosity, treating them as valid pieces of your experience that you are able to move through securely. In creating a welcoming space of exploration, I hope to alleviate possible anxiety and stress, ultimately empowering you to build a secure understanding and awareness of your emotions. Through this experiential and attachment based approach to therapy, I trust interpersonal patterns that you may struggle with in your daily life will show up during our time together, allowing us to lean into the healing corrective experience that therapy provides. Collaboratively, we will craft new ways that you might move through the world and your relationships.
As a relational therapist, my work is rooted in systems theory. I see individuals, their relationships, and social contexts as deeply intertwined. I will often contextualize emotional or relational processes and illuminate the wider systems of influence or oppression that impact them. In my work with couples or partners, I will often highlight when relational patterns or conflicts are present and explore how they are impacted by family and cultural context.
