AUTHOR

Michelle Risser LISW-S

she/her

Private Practice

Licensing & Certifications:

Licensed Clinical Social Worker- Supervisor
EMDR Certified, Consultant-in-Training, EMDRIA
Level 1 and 2 Trained, Gottman Institute
Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders: Components of Care Trained

Professional Background

Michelle has been working in the field of mental health since 2003. Before opening her private practice in 2010, Michelle’s experiences included working as a psychiatrist’s assistant in a large counseling center, serving homeless teens in a transitional housing program, providing medical case management, drug and alcohol counseling and mental health therapy for persons living with HIV/ AIDS and as a hospital social worker with children and families at Nationwide Children’s Hospital.

Michelle’s clinical focus areas are maternal mental health, trauma, and EMDR Intensive Therapy. Michelle provides intensives ranging from 3 hours to 3 days to facilitate a faster path to healing from trauma. Michelle sees clients experience healing that can take months or years in traditional therapy happen in a matter of days.

Michelle is an EMDR consultant in training, and also works as a consultant and course creator helping therapists diversify their income streams and become approved continuing education providers. Michelle believes that the best way to ensure a long, happy career is to have multiple streams of income that allow for more impact and less burnout.

Education

MSW., Masters of Social Work, The Ohio State University
B.A., Anthropology, The Ohio State University

Professional Affiliations

EMDRIA

Why I Write for Choosing Therapy

I write for ChoosingTherapy.com because I love knowing every article they publish has been written by a licensed mental health provider, carefully edited, and medically reviewed. I love being able to help others and give back in a bigger way with the platform Choosing Therapy provides.

Area of Focus

Michelle is skilled in addressing complex emotional concerns, particularly focusing on healing from perinatal mental health issues and birth trauma. She uses EMDR Intensive Therapy and employs Solution-Focused Therapy to foster self-esteem, personal growth, and the achievement of specific goals.

Perinatal mental health and birth trauma
EMDR Intensive Therapy
Solution-Focused Therapy, including confidence, self-love, performance enhancement, and goal-setting

Featured Articles

Adoption Trauma: What It Is & How to Cope

Adoption trauma refers to the negative effects that can occur as part of the adoption process. Adopted children are 26% more likely to experience traumatic events, increasing the risk of developing PTSD later in life.

May 2, 2024

Anxiety After Miscarriage: Common Types & How to Cope

Experiencing anxiety after a miscarriage is common and can have a significant impact on a person’s life. Someone who has recently experienced a pregnancy loss may find themselves feeling more anxious or worrisome than usual. This can be a normal part of the healing process, but if it starts to influence a person in negative ways, anxiety could be a sign of something more serious.

November 11, 2022

Accelerated Resolution Therapy vs. EMDR_ Understanding the Differences

ART Vs. EMDR: Understanding the Differences

Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) and Eye-Movement-Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy are both evidenced-based, effective treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other trauma-related symptoms. ART is focused primarily on replacing disturbing images with positive ones, whereas EMDR aims to both desensitize client distress and reprocess traumatic events. Both of these treatments utilize eye movements to reprocess traumatic images, emotions, and body sensations.

January 10, 2022

Depression After a Miscarriage: Symptoms, Treatment, & How to Cope

Feelings of grief and depression are common after a miscarriage. Symptoms include fatigue, isolation, feelings of guilt, and emptiness.

April 5, 2023

“If you are struggling, don’t hesitate to reach out for help. There are compassionate trained mental health professionals who are ready to help you heal and thrive. ”

Michelle Risser, LISW-S