My deep levels of empathy. Having struggled and overcome a lot in my own life allowed me to connect with and support my peers through the things that they struggled with. I found skills and tools through my own artistic processes that helped me cope and would share the insight that I learned with those around me.

Seeing the progress my clients make as they overcome their challenges. I love watching my clients gain confidence as they try out new skills and see them working in their lives. Every so often, I lead my clients through a review or inventory to help them recognize their own progress and accomplishments.

That it is okay to be scared or nervous. It can be intimidating to make big changes when you aren’t sure what to expect; however, therapy works by making big changes through a series of very small ones that are much easier to face. You won’t be walking through the experience alone as it is my job to help you through it.

That you are doing your best. Needing to learn new skills to better support your child doesn’t make you a bad parent, it makes you a great one because you are making sure that you are at your best for your child.

This is a tricky question, because there are so many directions that I could go with this one. The one thing that is consistent with my clients is a belief that they are somehow at fault and that they could have/should have done something to prevent it. This type of thinking is unhelpful, and only keeps you stuck in the past, wishing to change what has happened rather than moving towards healing through gaining tools and confidence that this is something you can overcome.

Some of my clients tell me that when hard situations come up, they can hear my voice in their head advising them to take a moment to let themselves feel their experiences and listen to what their feelings are telling them. Through this they find that inner wisdom. I like to joke that I am like a “Shoulder Angel” or “Jiminy Cricket”, teaching them how to listen to their own intuition. Sometimes I joke about giving out bracelets that have WWMS (What Would Michelle Say) as a more tangible reminder of the skills my clients are working on. The real magic is when my clients no longer hear my voice as it is replaced by their own inner voice. I love to celebrate that moment.