About the Art
As an artist and therapist, I believe that images are gateways to deeper thinking and visceral connections. As I looked through my own artwork to find an image that would communicate the mission of my practice, I was consistently drawn to photographs of koi fish in a pond. According to Japanese myth, if a koi fish succeeds in swimming upstream to the Dragon Gate of the Yellow River, it will turn into an ethereal water dragon. As a result of this legend, the koi fish symbolizes strength, courage, perseverance, non-conformity, family, and good fortune. I couldn't find a more fitting image to describe my belief in the strength of the individual.
About Michelle
I graduated Summe Cum Laude from Millikin University with a BFA in Art Therapy and hold a Master of Arts in Art Therapy degree from University of Illinois at Chicago. In 2005, I became a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor which involved 2 years of supervised clinical work in addition to state board exams. The LCPC license allows me to ethically and legally conduct psychotherapy sessions to treat mental health issues and disorders.
Experience
I have over 17 years post-graduate experience with children, adolescents, adults, couples, groups, and families
from diverse backgrounds. My work experience includes:
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Founding and maintaining a thriving private practice for over ten years, while providing psychotherapy to teens, adults, and couples.
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Providing verbal and art psychotherapy to adults and couples as part of Urban Balance, a group of private practitioners, at both their downtown and Ravenswood locations.
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Conducting group and individual art therapy groups, completing intake assessments, and providing team-based case management and community support to adults, adolescents, and children at Community Counseling Centers of Chicago (C4), a community health center with locations throughout the city of Chicago
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Providing crisis assessments at hospitals, schools, and homes in addition to facilitating office and home-based therapy to youth ages 4 to 21 through the Screening Assessment Support Services (SASS) program at C4. Through this position, I coordinated with professionals from various disciplines including psychiatrists, educators, social workers, and child-care workers.
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Providing on-call emergency services for a 24 hour crisis line.
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I also completed several undergraduate and graduate internships at the following facilities: a nursing home, a domestic violence shelter, an outpatient substance abuse program, a residential treatment facility for teens, a high school counseling center and a community mental health center.
