Meet the Therapist
Michelle M. Morrissey, MA, LPC
Psychotherapist
Licensed Professional Counselor
National Board Certified Counselor
Create Awareness Therapy Studio is committed to providing an environment that is inclusive, culturally diverse, and LGBTQIA+ affirming
Change and transition — they may be inevitable in life; yet, they can still surprise us! And such times often bring us into unknown territory, usually an unforeseen fork in the road, which also means facing new challenges, questions, decisions, and uncertainty. Quickly, we find ourselves feeling overwhelmed, and sometimes even pressured into letting go of something we’d rather not.
Though they may be unavoidable and at times unwelcomed, change and transition can also become a critical turning point, leading us toward a shift of perspective or direction, a new discovery, and a fresh start. What once felt so difficult or even insurmountable may actually yield something unanticipated, positive, and yes, even a blessing.
I’ve been there. More than once. I, too, have stood at a crossroad, facing a change, an ending, or new direction. Despite the uncertainty and difficulty I’ve faced during those transitions, I’ve come to know and rely more deeply on my own inner resources and resiliency as well as recognize the many resources already surrounding me as I navigated my way through each one. As a result, I’ve actually become quite “seasoned” with transitions!
Throughout my adult life, and especially since I joined the field of mental health counseling as a psychotherapist, I’ve remained committed to my own personal and professional development. I have a particular interest in understanding and healing unresolved trauma, grief, and loss, whether associated with a recent incident, a significant relationship, early childhood and adolescent development, or with difficult adjustments into adulthood. Over the years, I’ve also developed several practices, skills, and capacities associated with strenthening the mind, body and soul, including mindfulness, creativity, spirituality, as well as practical problem-solving and career development, and am always willing to share what I’ve learned to guide my clients toward empowering themselves.
Like the seasons in nature, life continually presents us with challenges and opportunities for change, growth, and renewal.
There’s always more. Another season. Another chance.
If you’re currently facing an especially difficult period or transition in your life, I strongly recommend taking the time you need to pause. Give yourself a chance to sort things out. Finally and fully experience your emotions that need to be expressed. Allow yourself to feel really listened to, accepted, and understood. Discover what’s really true for you — your true “Self” — both emotionally and spiritually. Gain the clarity you need to take the next right step forward in your life — at the pace that’s right for you.
Trauma-Informed Therapist
I recognize the importance of being trauma-informed as a therapist; therefore, I regularly seek advanced trainings in trauma care so I can appropriately tend to clients impacted by trauma, whether it’s incident or event trauma (PTSD), or multiple incidents in a person’s history (developmental trauma or Complex PTSD). I am committed to providing an environment and experience that is trauma-sensitive, calm, accepting, and responsive.
To date, I’ve completed the required training in EMDR Therapy (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) from the Maiberger Institute in Boulder, Colorado in order to offer this modality. EMDR is an evidence based, integrative, trauma treatment therapy that assists people heal from traumatic events as well as life disturbing experiences. I have also completed extensive advanced training and supervision required to be considered a Level 3 AEDP therapist (Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy).
Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP) and Experiential Dynamic Therapies (EDT):
I greatly value these integrative therapy models which recognize and utilize somatic (body-awareness), emotion-centered, relational, attachment, and dynamic theories. Comprehensive in scope, these models provide in-depth experiential processing of difficult emotional and relational experiences as well as positive experiences to help you discover (or rediscover!) what has always been strong and resilient within you. Together, both approaches offer effective ways to process and heal repetitive patterns that have kept you feeling stuck, and help undo the aloneness you can feel when facing an unbearable situation or memory. As healing and transformation take place, you can come to experience a more open-hearted and authentic state of being, and ultimately, feel more fully alive, capable, and whole as you move forward in your life. For more information about the AEDP model, please visit www.aedpinstitute.org .
Structured and Flexible
Structure establishes a sense of safety, especially in times of uncertainty. Flexibility honors your individual preferences and needs. I recognize the importance of working at a pace that is comfortable and necessary for you, whether it’s brief and more focused (12-20 sessions), or slower, steady and more in-depth (30-50 sessions).
Specializing in:
- Individual Therapy for Adults (18 yrs and older)
- Life Changes and Transitions
- Trauma, Loss, and Grief
- Anxiety and Depression
- New Beginnings
- AEDP (Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy)
- EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing)