Hello, my name is Michelle and I am human first: a mother, an eldest sibling, first-generation Colombian-Honduran American, an advocate and an artist with lived experiences concerning complex trauma. I am a bilingual (English/Spanish) Oregon state Pre-Licensed Therapist at Portland Mental Health & Wellness as well as a Neuropsychological Research Assistant Volunteer at Pacific University, Oregon. I work with individuals, couples, and families navigating concerns such as trauma, relationship challenges, codependency, spiritual and faith-related concerns,  parenting challenges, child and adolescent issues, anger, neurodivergence and neurodevelopmental-related challenges, personality disorders, chronic illness and isolation. I also offer Christian-informed counseling.

Before sharing about what it may look like in the therapy room, I’d like to take a moment to acknowledge how important and courageous it is for you to be here. Whether it’s your first time seeking therapy or still deciding, you are choosing hope and faith in what may be difficult to not just picture but maybe even feel at the moment.  My hope is to serve as an instrument of genuine compassion in a way that accompanies you in the re-awakening of all that makes you who you are and where you aim to be.

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Therapeutic Approach

My approach to therapy is trauma-informed rooted in Humanistic-Existentialism, wherein I consider our encounter human-first–acknowledging our shared collective universal needs, challenges, transitions and desires within safe and strong foundational grounds. It is about creating a safe, respectful, supportive and nonjudgemental space where you feel understood and empowered to make choices that feel meaningful and right for you.  While keeping in mind your experiences and assuming your capacity for change, I focus on the present, increasing insight, emotional understanding, skill-building and supporting you in making choices that align with your values and sense of purpose.

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Credentials & Experience

I hold a Master’s degree from The Wright Institute and Bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Berkeley with prior background in family business, communications and the creative arts. I have additional training in sensorimotor therapy, mindfulness based stress reduction and art therapy. My professional experience includes 5 years working in community mental health, home-based, school-based and crisis counseling settings.

Sessions are a collaborative process with the first few sessions focusing on your concerns, goals, strengths, and throughout, maintaining focus and progress-monitoring based on your current and changing needs. Sessions are ongoing for as little or as many as needed.

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Outside the Office

Outside of sessions, I enjoy percussion drumming, dancing, reciting faith-based poetry, strength-training, reading, comedy, and playing with my 1-year-old son.