Hi, I’m Michaela. I am a Licensed Graduate Social Worker in Washington, D.C., and I work with adolescents, young adults, and adults navigating anxiety, depression, PTSD, religious trauma, and significant life transitions. My clinical experience includes community crisis response and intensive community outpatient settings, which has shaped my understanding that mental health is deeply influenced by our relationships, environments, personal histories, and the beliefs we've developed about ourselves and the world.

My approach is holistic, trauma-informed, and collaborative. I integrate Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, person-centered therapy, solution-focused interventions, and trauma-informed care to help clients build insight, develop practical coping strategies, and reconnect with the parts of themselves that may have felt silenced, disconnected, or overwhelmed. I strive to create a therapeutic space that feels authentic, compassionate, and nonjudgmental, where healing can occur at your own pace.

I have a particular passion for working with individuals healing from religious trauma, deconstructing belief systems, and exploring identity outside of environments that have caused shame, fear, or emotional pain. I also enjoy supporting clients as they navigate life transitions, relationship challenges, grief, and long-standing emotional patterns that no longer serve them.

Whether you're processing past experiences, learning to manage overwhelming emotions, or working toward a life that feels more aligned with your values, my goal is to help you build resilience, increase self-understanding, and create meaningful, lasting change.

If you're looking for a therapist who will meet you with curiosity, compassion, and practical support, I'd be honored to walk alongside you in your healing journey.