Hi, I’m Michelé.
A bit more about me…
Over the span of my 10+ years of experience in the social work field, I have gained valuable insights that has influenced a social justice and trauma-informed approach as a psychotherapist. My unique blend of social work and psychotherapy allows me to provide comprehensive and compassionate care to those seeking support. I believe that healing requires a toolkit as diverse as the individuals I serve. My work is grounded in a client-centered approach, meaning you are the expert of your own life. I am here to provide the clinical guidance and steady support to help you unlock your own truth.
As a clinician dedicated to serving Black, Brown, and diverse communities, I take a client-centered approach to understanding your unique journey. By using a decolonizing framework, we will examine the internal and external factors impacting your mental health, ensuring that your voice and values remain at the heart of the healing process.
In our work together, we will dive into the multifaceted aspects of your life story, using evidence-based frameworks such as EMDR, DBT, and Parts Work. My approach is designed to help you process complex experiences and develop practical resources for growth. I am committed to providing a skilled, empathetic space where we can create positive change and strengthen your mental health foundation.
Credentials
Master of Social Work - MSW, Fordham University (New York)
Board of Behavioral Science -LCSW License #121889 (California)
EMDR Trained Therapist (Institute For the Creative Mindfulness-EMDRIA approved)
Decolonizing mental health is aimed at challenging Western-centric approaches to mental wellness and promoting culturally relevant care for marginalized communities. By acknowledging the impact of colonization on mental health practices, this approach seeks to create more inclusive and holistic approaches to healing and well-being.
What does decolonizing mental health mean?
Racial trauma, or race-based traumatic stress (RBTS), refers to the mental and emotional injury caused by encounters with racial bias and ethnic discrimination, racism, hate crimes, and/or systematic oppression. Any individual that has experienced an emotionally painful, sudden, and uncontrollable racist encounter is at risk of suffering from a race-based traumatic stress injury.
What is raced-based traumatic stress or RBTS?
EMDR or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing is a structured psychotherapy that primarily focuses on treating individuals who have experienced distressing or traumatic events. It’s purpose is to support those with traumatic memories, that have been unprocessed, causing many of these memories to become “stuck” in the brain, leading to a wide array of emotional and psychological difficulties. EMDR allows for the reprocessing of these memories helping to reduce the reactive charge and healing from trauma.
What is EMDR?
Intergenerational trauma also know as generational or ancestral trauma, is the passing down of psychological and emotional pain from one generation to the next. This can occur through learned behaviors, beliefs, and coping mechanisms. It often stems from experiences such as war, abuse, or oppression, and can have lasting effects on individuals and families.
What is intergenerational trauma?