Michelle Ficalora

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 utilize interventions from DBT and Trauma-Focused CBT, as well as family systems therapy and narrative therapy. In practice, this translates to a holistic, autonomy-focused, and mindful approach, where I work alongside you in a way that highlights your strengths and interests. Together, we’ll ask questions to discover your goals, and I’ll help guide you on the way to reaching them, using humor, play, and light physical engagement to keep things moving. I am certified in TF-CBT, and am a member of the NASW, APS, as well as Phi Kappa Phi. I graduated from the University of Rochester in 2019 with a B.A. in Psychology, and graduated from Fordham University in 2021 with a Master’s in Social Work. I spent my Master’s practicum during COVID-19 as a case manager for adults with disabilities, and conducted biopsychosocial assessments and choice advising sessions to help guide clients towards their desired outcomes. I believe that in order for therapy to be effective, there needs to be a positive dynamic between the client and the therapist, and I strive to foster that relationship by meeting you where you are, both physically and emotionally. When we meet, you can expect to review your presenting concerns in a relaxed manner, as well as begin to identify treatment goals and develop a treatment plan – this will allow us to determine whether we are a good fit for one another. I look forward to meeting with you and being a part of your personal growth journey!