Michelle M. Morrissey, MA, LPC
Psychotherapist
Licensed Professional Counselor
National Board Certified Counselor
Create Awareness Therapy Studio is
LGBTQIA+ affirming and committed to cultural diversity, equity, and inclusion
Change and transition — they may be inevitable in life; yet, they can still surprise us. Facing an unknown territory filled with new questions, unforeseen forks in the road, frustration, uncertainty, and loss, we can quickly become overwhelmed. All too often, we may be pressured into letting go of something we’d rather not.
Though often unwelcomed and unavoidable, 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 professional field of counseling as a psychotherapist, I’ve remained committed to my own personal development and have a particular interest in understanding and healing unresolved trauma and loss, whether associated with an incident, development, or a relationship. Over the years, I’ve developed several practices, skills, and capacities related to mindfulness, creativity, spirituality, practical problem-solving, and emotional resilience and strength, and am always willing to share what I’ve learned to empower others.
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”. 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 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 training in EMDR Therapy (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) from the Maiberger Institute in Boulder, Colorado. 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 the 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)