Trauma Focused Therapists in Aloha, OR

My counseling approach is all about understanding the connections and systems that shape our lives. Instead of just fixing surface-level issues, we'll dive deep into the emotions that drive our connections, exploring how you feel and relate to others. As we understand our emotions, then we can change our behaviors. Whether you're facing conflicts in your marriage, coping with the loss of a loved one, navigating the joys and challenges of parenthood, or wrestling with overwhelming worries, I'm here to help you through it all.

Hi there! I’m Michelle Ficalora, and I’m a mental health clinician intern here at Positive Inner Self, working towards becoming a LCSW. I’m currently a Clinical Social Work Associate. My pronouns are she/they, and I am trauma-informed and LGBTQIA+ allied. I specialize in working with clients of all ages, helping to address both the symptoms and root causes of your stressors in individual or group sessions. I’ll help guide you on the way to reaching your goals, using humor, play, and light physical engagement to keep things moving.

I am currently accepting new clients for day time appointment slots only. I offer clients a compassionate and safe space to explore current and past experiences and traumas that are impacting their lives. While I enjoy working with people of all ages, experiences and backgrounds, my specialty lies in teens and young adults. I have significant experience working with adolescents who have been or are currently in the foster care system, folks who have experienced intimate partner violence, and individuals who have been deeply impacted by trauma. I truly believe that everyone has the power and capacity to grow and heal.

You're an adult with a big imagination, creative at heart, but you feel stuck. You’re struggling with chronic pain, unresolved trauma, or overwhelming anxiety. Parenting & relationships feel like minefields, & you’re constantly triggered. Your creative spark is dimmed by the weight of it all. You’ve tried to push through, tried to find solutions, but nothing sticks. What you want is peace—freedom from the constant noise in your mind & body. You need space to breathe, to heal, & to reconnect with the person you know you can be. To tap back into your creativity, confidence, and be fully present in your relationships and work.

Therapy is different for everyone but regardless of circumstance, I offer an empathetic and collaborative experience; together we will diligently work toward your own specific goals, needs, and healing. Most of my clients are looking to improve the health of their relationships, learn how to properly set boundaries, address a trauma history that is negatively affecting their daily life, or more generally address symptoms of anxiety and depression as a whole.

“The wound is the place where the light enters you” – Rumi. Life stressors can contribute to feelings of anxiety, depression, loneliness, and even hopelessness. If you are feeling any of these, know that you are not alone. I trust in the power of therapy to re-examine stressful situations in a therapeutic environment. I am passionate about working with adults, children, and families to help identify barriers and dysfunctions; and to help facilitate positive changes to reinstate normal functions.

Seeking support takes enormous courage. My approach is a balance of candidness and tenderness to meet your needs. I welcome feedback throughout our work to ensure we are on the right track and will continue to check in to support you in the best way possible. I use a trauma-focused lens- incorporating biological, social and psychological perspectives. As a certified Eye-Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR) therapist, I work primarily from the EMDR modality and integrate parts work and somatic techniques as well as mind-body medicine approaches when it feels appropriate in our work together.

I work with clients whose PTSD, anxiety, depression, and addictions were caused by relational trauma. This kind of trauma occurs when the actions of another violate the trust on which a relationship was built. The experience of profound and unexpected betrayal (as children or adults) can be deeply traumatic and cause lasting changes in the areas of the brain responsible for regulating emotion, thought, and memory.

At Rooted Self Therapy, I hold space for people facing all types of things that encompass our collective human experience. Some key areas that I support people with are: building inner trust and attunement to one’s needs, finding relief from anxiety through the cultivation of self-regulation and nervous system support, navigating loss and major life transitions, healing from traumatic events, past or present, exploring ways of living in alignment with one’s desires, and creating a relationship with one’s self that is rooted in compassion and acceptance.

Accepting new clients! I am a licensed professional counselor (LPC) of 12 years at The Core Practice and see clients in both Oregon and South Carolina. I work with clients to address relationship issues, anxiety, depression, trauma, addiction, and grief. I hold additional certifications as a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor, Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, and Certified Employee Assistance Professional. I tend to work best with clients who are active participants in their mental health journey and value therapeutic work outside of therapy sessions. Weekend and evening appointments are available.

I am deeply passionate about helping individuals who find themselves experiencing challenging life changes and transitions. They may be grappling with issues related to trauma, addiction, anxiety, depression, or the complexities of grief. As a second-generation immigrant, I am also passionate about helping individuals navigate multi-generational family dynamics and commitments, while also deepening their understanding of their own identity and experiences.

Tailwind ADHD offers ADHD assessment, 1:1 therapy, and groups for adults struggling with anxiety, depression, and relationships issues. Text us to schedule a consultation at (971) 999-3193 www.tailwindadhd.com We'd love to talk with you.