Michelle Horner, PsyD

Therapy My approach involves a collaborative, relational approach as a foundation for building trust and safety in the relationship. I have a mind-body focus and work with clients to increase their awareness of, connection to, and the ability to shift negatively experienced emotions and sensations. I strongly believe that people are the experts of their experience and that negatively experienced symptoms are survival-based adaptations to overwhelming or oppressive life circumstances. I work to develop a compassionate stance toward and greater sense of self and identity to increase meaningful relationships within oneself and with others. I have studied internationally concerning socio-political and intergenerational transmission of trauma as well as cultural adaptations to trauma treatment. I have a special interest in chronic and complex trauma, intergenerational trauma, cultural and sociopolitical trauma, adult attachment trauma, dissociation, and gender and sexuality identity development. I received expert training through a two-year postdoctoral fellowship at the Trauma Center in Boston, MA with renowned experts in the trauma field. My specialty trainings include Sensorimotor Psychotherapy (Levels 1 & 2), EMDR, Component-Based Psychotherapy, Attachment Regulation & Competency, Sensorimotor Arousal Regulation Training, and Foundations in Somatic Abolitionism. Through these trainings, I have learned to approach the therapeutic process with creativity and curiosity, recognizing that the experience of trauma and oppression is too complex for just one therapeutic approach (please note: this does mean I do not provide stand alone EMDR services). Therapy for a single trauma may be short-term; however, for the complexity of the human experience following multiple traumas, particularly those that occurred in childhood, I expect the therapy to be long-term despite my deepest wishes for faster healing for all who I work alongside in therapy. Given the relational nature of trauma, I also prioritize in-person sessions for clients and reserve telehealth for cases in which safety is impacted by travel. Professional Services I learn best by remaining connected to my therapeutic community through consultation, studying, and teaching. As such, I'm also passionate about sharing my knowledge with others and am excited to offer consultation services, workshops, and trainings. Trauma & Anti-Oppressive Reading Group Join me and local colleagues for in-person monthly readings to spark conversation and explore clinical concepts related to the reading of the month. We are currently reading Decolonizing Therapy by Jennifer Mullan, PsyD. Our next meeting will be on Friday, December 13 from 9-10:30am. To join an email list with monthly meeting information or to join in our next meeting, please email me at mhornerpsyd@gmail.com