J. Michele Rankin
Hi there, I go by Michele. Life can be difficult at times. You might feel like it can never get better and like you have to get through it on your own. My job is to help you get through these difficult times and to give you the skills you need to feel empowered to get through any obstacle that comes your way.
I am also well trained in evidence-based therapies such as CBT, Trauma focused-CBT, DBT, EMDR, and motivational interviewing.
I have years of expereience helping people from all walks of life find their idea of happiness and making it a reality. I work hard at being flexible and providing you with the kind of help that you want and need. Whether you're dealing with current or past issues, or cycles of anxiety and depression, I'm here to help. Seeking therapy can feel scary but you're making the right choice. You deserve a safe space to heal and grow. In our sessions together, I'll meet you with compassion and evidence-based techniques so you can overcome the hangups and habits holding you back. Let's work together!
First session
In our first session together, we will have a chance to get to know each other, and have a plan of what to expect moving forward. I will give you more information about what to expect in therapy in general. I will ask you more about what brings you into therapy, how life is going now, touch on your past, and what motivates you to move forward. I will let you set the path of what you want out of therapy. While, I will be your guide on how to make that a reality.
Strengths
My biggest strengths are helping others over come traumas in there lives. Whether its a big traumatic event, abuse or something that you just can't seem to let go of. I also work well with anxiety, depression and anger. I help teach you the skills you need to reduce your symptoms, while getting to the root of the problem.
Ideal clients
I enjoy working with individuals, couples and families. I work best with people that are willing to make changes and are open to growing. When I am working with individuals, I make sure to help guide you in the right direction, even if you are what is getting in the way of moving forward. When I am working with couples and family members, I won't pick sides. I will help you understand each other and accept each other, so you can both understand what is getting in the way of the bond you want, and find ways to over come those obstetrical.
Treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Using CBT I can give you the knowledge of how your mind works to help you better understand why you act and think the way you do. With that understanding it is easier to use CBT tools to improve your thoughts, actions and moods.
Trauma-Focused CBT
Using TF-CBT will help give you the tools you need to better manage and identify your triggers. Once you are better able to manage your thoughts and feelings, we move on to processing the trauma. At this point I provide a safe environment to be open with your feelings so that you can think more rationally about your experience and let go of your pain.
EMDR
If there is a consistent negative thought about yourself, EMDR can be used. We will work together to uncover sources of the negative thought and process it during a session while moving your eyes. This will help to remove painful thoughts and feelings associated with that memory. That often will reduce or eliminate the negative thought.
Couples Counseling
Couples counseling will help get to the root of the issues, help both parties understand each other, and yourself. Then we work on better ways to communicate and brainstorm ways to handle conflict in safe productive ways.
Location
Virtual sessions