As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, I am dedicated to serving BIPOC or Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, with a social justice and trauma-informed approach. My practice is centered around empowering clients to heal and grow through a client-centered and solution-focused lens. I believe in the importance of creating a safe and inclusive space where individuals can explore their experiences and work towards positive change. With a deep commitment to addressing the systemic barriers that impact marginalized communities, I strive to advocate for equity and justice in all aspects of my work.
Over the span of my 10 years of experience in the social work field, I have gained valuable insights that have shaped my approach as a psychotherapist. Prior to my transition to private practice, I have several years working in the community mental health field, supporting individuals struggling with depression, anxiety, and trauma. My unique blend of social work and psychotherapy experience allows me to provide comprehensive and compassionate care to those seeking support.
My goal as your therapist is to provide you with support in overcoming the impact of your stress or trauma, while also cultivating a therapeutic space that honors your unique experiences and strengths as an individual. If you are seeking a therapist who is empathetic, skilled, and committed to helping you on your journey towards healing and growth, I may be the right fit for you. Together, we can work towards building a strong foundation for your mental well-being and creating positive change in your life.
Hi, I’m Michele.
Credentials
Master of Social Work (MSW)
BBS LCSW License #121889 (California)
EMDR Trainee Therapist (EMDRIA)
What does decolonizing mental health mean?
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.
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?
What is EMDR?
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. Developed in the late 1980s by psychologist Francine Shapiro, EMDR therapy is a structured psychotherapy that primarily focuses on treating individuals who have experienced distressing, traumatic events. The purpose of EMDR 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. The 8 phases of EMDR allows for the reprocessing of these memories and experiences helping to reduce the reactive emotional and psychological charge and healing from trauma.
What is intergenerational trauma?
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.