Each person has a unique path and reasons which lead them to therapy. It can be both scary and empowering to enter into this space: I want to commend you for your bravery in taking this step.

My name is Michaela, and I am a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate in the state of North Carolina. Preceding my graduate studies, I earned a Bachelor of Arts in Humanities with a focus in International Community Development (2019), where I participated in ethnographic studies throughout Europe and Trinidad, working extensively with Third Culture Kid populations. I graduated with a Master of Arts in Counseling at Columbia International University in 2022. Since then, I have been a therapist at Thrive Counseling Services PLLC working with individuals ages 14 and up, couples, and families. Since 2021, I have worked with diverse populations experiencing anxiety, depression, marital challenges, relational conflict, grief and loss, trauma, cultural and life transition, difficulty with identity formation/self-esteem, and spiritual issues.

My education and work is driven by a profound passion to cultivate a safe space where one can explore who God originally designed them to be and encounter Him. I work with my clients to recognize and resolve root issues as we collaborate on customized treatment goals. While I operate from a foundation in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)—made eclectic by elements of Narrative and Art Therapy—I adjust my approach in order to engage the needs of each individual. After all, there is no one else in this world who is exactly like you!