Michelle Williams

I take a multifaceted systemic approach to treating individuals. This means that I focus on improving patterns within a client's interpersonal system so that everyone is communicating better, having less conflict, and improving closeness in relationships. I also take a strengths-based approach to help people focus on what they do best and help optimize functioning in other areas. I am certified in trauma-focused CBT and other evidence-based modalities. I nurture a warm environment, one of inclusiveness and cultural & racial sensitivity. I work with clients to restore harmony and resolution to difficult experiences and emotions, life transitions, and health issues. I am skilled in providing emotional support that helps clients identify unconscious patterns that have caused distress and suffering and replace them with healthy coping mechanisms. Clients frequently feel emotionally drained and confused when they begin to identify ways they are holding onto conflict. My role is to support clients through these struggles by offering a safe, non-judgmental, and warm healing space to work through challenging patterns of thinking and behaviors.

My approach

I integrate spiritual principles, practices, and therapeutic modalities of humanistic psychodynamic psychotherapy. I collaborate with clients to lift constraints and develop new ways of being and becoming in their lives, with a focus on an individual's essential nature and inherent capacity to transform and fully realize their individual and unique potential. My work with clients is to understand how they may be struggling with patterns, emotional distress, or other conflict that results in anxiety, depression, or causes poor self-esteem/worth, insecurity, or lack of self-direction. I work in partnership as clients define personal strengths, explore internal resources, and tap into resiliency to discover their authentic voice.

My focus

I work with adult individuals struggling with complex life issues, transitions, trauma, addiction/substance abuse, LGBTQIA+, and gender.

My communication style

As a contemplative psychotherapist, I help clients find balance by teaching mindfulness practices to aid in emotional regulation, which is often the cause of anxiety and depression. I aid clients in deconstructing and integrating traumatic events, identify unconscious patterns that contribute to cyclic suffering, and teach practical skills designed to replace harmful coping behavior.

My journey to mental healthcare

I have worked in international human rights for more than 15 years. This piqued my interest in the human condition, as I witnessed strife, challenges, inequality, and a lack of compassion. This prompted me to share my strengths, experiences, hope, empathy, and compassion toward others in a tangible and immediate manner.

My goals for you

I approach goal setting by asking clients what their overall goals are. We do this by identifying a starting point and helping them understand exactly where they are in terms of their expressed goals. Taking an honest inventory, by examining where things currently stand, helps provide clients insight into what has not been effective thus far and how they can begin to frame goals utilizing new skills.

My first session with you

I will ask a lot of questions to get to know clients more intimately. I offer clients an opportunity to feel safe and supported immediately.