Get to Know Me
Michelle Meaney, LMHC
As a local parent of teen boys who teach me more and more about life and compassion every day, I often wonder if I am learning more from them than they could ever learn from me. I am fascinated by human behavior and the many spectrums embedded into it and I call myself a lifetime learner. My quest for personal awareness and understanding my own behaviors lead me in my work to help others. One thing I know is there is so very much more to explore. We all have blind spots and a shadow side. We all make mistakes and experience shame and I am no different. Some of my darkness includes a personal history of trauma, addictive behaviors, reactivity & unpleasant trigger responses, mental health struggles, emotional pain, and others.
My roles have been many. I am a mom, a daughter, a sister, an aunt, a friend, a lover, a niece, a granddaughter, a colleague, a therapist, a business and home owner, an addict, a survivor, a neighbor, a student, an aggressor, a member of my community, a light, a darkness, a speck in the universe. And so many more.
I believe in vulnerability. Being brave and courageous while keenly listening to the gut for messages of danger. As more and more of us feel safe sharing and owning our own story, I predict our communities will begin to heal and compassion will take the place of harsh and negative judgments.
Things I do for self-care: Take a bath, read, play a game on my phone, write, meditate, eat a snack, do the dishes, go for a drive, listen to music, sleep, watch a show, long/deep breathes, etc......
I have my masters in psychology with a specialization in counseling and work with clients with a wide range of struggles. Populations especially dear to my heart are those suffering from sex addiction and related behaviors, individuals with symptoms of borderline personality disorder, and anyone who has strayed far from their core sense of Self who seeks to understand their own layers and behaviors.
Clinical experience includes private practice, community mental health, contracted partnerships with other mental health professionals, and correctional mental health in a jail setting. I am also qualified for the first two tiers of Lifespan Integration Therapy. Other related experience is: Life-coaching, DV and Sexual Assault Certified Advocacy work, crisis response to local emergency rooms, managing 24 hour crisis hotline, and others.