• Michelle Smith is a Licensed Independent Mental Health Practitioner in Nebraska. She graduated from Doane College in 2011 with a Masters of the Arts in Counseling degree. Additionally, Michelle received a Masters of the Arts in Clinical Psychology from Fielding Graduate University in December 2013. She has experience working with and/or assessing adolescent females with behavioral difficulties, neurological disorders, individuals with chronic mental health conditions, children, adolescents, and families. Michelle served as an Adjunct Professor for Doane University teaching several courses for the Masters of the Arts in Counseling program from January 2014 through December 2017. She is also a member of the Mental Health Board in Adams County.
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Michelle completed training in Child Parent Psychotherapy (CPP), which is an evidence-based treatment modality that assists children ages 0-5 and their parents heal after experiencing trauma. Additionally, she completed a 150-hour training program in Play Therapy for infants, early childhood, children, adolescents, adults, and grief.

 

Michelle utilizes attachment theory to assist children and families understand and heal from trauma and mental health conditions. To promote attachment and bonding between parents and children, she is a Registered Circle of Security Parenting Facilitator.

In addition to the above mentioned evidence-based practices, Michelle completed training in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT). This treatment assists individuals to learn skills to express emotions in healthy ways following traumatic life experiences. It also assists with making sense of those experiences by integrating it into our life story. Michelle is trained in the RSAFE treatment modality developed to treat problematic sexual behaviors.  Finally, she is trained Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) to address behavior concerns in children.

 

Michelle utilizes a cognitive behavioral approach to mental health in which the relationship between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors are the primary modes of facilitating change. Michelle has also received training in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy which emphasizes skill-building, behavioral interventions, and problem-solving. Finally, she incorporates techniques such as mindfulness training, yoga, and relaxation training into therapy.