Play Therapy in Beaverton, OR

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’ll help guide you on the way to reaching your goals, using humor, play , and light physical engagement to keep things moving.

Seeking therapy is an act of courage when your life is not working, when you are feeling overwhelming emotions, or are ready to grow. With over 35 years of experience, I work skillfully with adults, children, families & couples. I am here to compassionately facilitate your learning to live your life with emotional freedom, purpose, creativity, passion & joy! Get in touch with the strength & beauty of your Inner Self & develop more satisfying relationships. Examine your thinking & beliefs & develop mindfulness, transforming your moods & your life. I use a gentle therapeutic style which is an eclectic, psychodynamic, humanistic, transpersonal & holistic wellness approach.

I work with all individuals.That includes individuals with diverse ages, races, genders, sexualities, religions, political stances, educations, living environments, relationships, histories and socioeconomic statuses. I use an eclectic theoretical approach to treatment interventions, starting where you are at and moving toward identified treatment goals with consideration of best practices, which are research based with positive outcomes. After the initial diagnostic assessment; talk, play and creative interventions are utilized. I welcome feedback to ensure our therapeutic alliance and treatment processes are meeting your expectations. If given permission and clinically indicated, I coordinate care and consult with other treating professionals.

I help people living with depression, self-identity struggles, grief, trauma and have experience working within LGBTQIA+ and ethical non-monogamous communities. The children I see have/are experiencing abuse, behavior concerns, and life stressors. My role as a therapist is to offer authentic and genuine reflections and to help strengthen your mental capacity and confidence to handle internal and external stressors. I believe we all have a story to tell, some intertwined with tragedy and challenges, and that our time together is for you to tell yours. Note: I don't work with insurance companies; only out of pocket.

My passion is supporting parents! Are you exhausted from your child’s emotional meltdowns and refusals to do what you asked? Are you embarrassed by their public tantrums? I understand because I’ve been there myself. If your child refuses to follow directions, hits, bites, throws things, struggles with attention or is disruptive at school, won't sit still at mealtimes, or refuses to go bed time, I can help with Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT). Adoptive, foster and kinship families can especially benefit. Affirmative care is provided for LGBTQIA+ families. Your family constellation is understood, accepted, and celebrated.

Parent Support for Child Disruptive Behavior. We teach parents play therapy skills and behavior therapy skills for children ages 1-10 so they can dissolve tantrums quickly and help their children manage impulses and respond to instructions quickly. These strategies come from Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) and PC-Care, two protocols researched at UC Davis Children’s Hospital and shown to be nurturing and effective. The CDC has even recommended PCIT for children under 6 with ADHD before trying medication. Let’s work together to bring peace and warmth back to your home! Evening and weekend appointments available.

My passion is supporting parents! Are you exhausted from your child’s emotional meltdowns and refusals to do what you asked? Are you embarrassed by their public tantrums? I understand because I’ve been there myself. If your child refuses to follow directions, hits, bites, throws things, struggles with attention or is disruptive at school, won't sit still at mealtimes, or refuses to go bed time, I can help with Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT). Adoptive, foster and kinship families can especially benefit. Affirmative care is provided for LGBTQIA+ families. Your family constellation is understood, accepted, and celebrated.

I currently have openings. Are you or your child struggling? Do you miss your happy child? Or wonder if you will ever feel better? I provide customized and effective psychotherapy to children, teens, and adults. This includes play therapy in a designated child-centered play therapy room or working together in an inviting and soothing office. I also offer telehealth. Clients tell me they experience full acceptance, empathy, and positive change in our work together. Together we find glimmers of hope, and strategies for change to make life better for you, your child, or your family.

Most folks can handle the ups and downs of life unless their closest relationships are in trouble. That's what brings people to me. With over two decades as facilitator of personal and relational growth in individuals, couples and families, I am psycho-dynamic (seek to 'peel back the layers') with individuals, helping them to become free from the emotional baggage of childhood. I offer a systems-oriention with couples and families along with some Gottman tools and Prepare and Enrich. I developed a therapeutic program for a children's home in CA and served as their therapist and staff trainer for 5 years.

Life is about relationships, with self, family, friends, co-workers and God. When we experience difficulties in one or more of these relationships it is helpful to seek counsel. I enjoy counseling with individuals or families to facilitate healthy relationships. I use Solution Focused/Strength Based and Cognitive Behavioral and draw from other theories to create the best course of counseling for each client.

My intention for you is to gently but dynamically create opportunities for growth and healing through flexible and creative alternatives to break through old patterns. I like to collaborate with motivated clients who are willing to work to change their lives. My goal is to help you discover your own solutions to your problems and concerns in an environment that is welcoming, empathetic and non-judgmental. I do that by carefully attending to your thoughts and feelings. Although I will offer specific "interventions" I believe that change occurs during therapy when there is strong motivation combined with the quality of our connection.

I work with individuals and families across the lifespan both in person and via telehealth formats. My specialty areas include child development, trauma, anxiety, grief & loss and chronic medial issues. I have a play therapy room designed for expressive therapies and family systems work. I am certified in trauma, EMDR for children and adults and am faculty at the institute teaching in trauma informed care, play therapy , clinical supervision and animal assisted human health. My work involves complex divorce and reunification therapy. I provide clinical supervision for professionals seeking licensing or play therapy certification.

I work non judgmentally with clients to examine/strengthen relationships.I work with individuals,couples and families to repair and rebuild relationships that are not functioning at their best.With the client,the current concern is examined then goals and steps toward change are developed.I feel a persons self esteem is often a key component to current concerns and difficulties being experienced, as such this is examined.I believe the child parent relationship is key to a child's development and self esteem. I work with the parent to create the strongest connection possible with their child.

Everyone could use support when things don't go as we expect. My main goal is to be the person sitting with you during your highest highs and lowest lows. You are not alone and you have what it takes. People of all ages need to be truly seen and heard which is what I am here for. We are all doing the best we can, yet we can desire to change and become better. We could all use a hand wading through challenging times. I will be the support you need, and we will work together to create better days ahead.

At MindTree we treat the person as a whole, by integrating the healing of mind and Body. Our team of independent practitioners provide a collaborative health care model and create a personalized Holistic Wellness plan for adults, younger children, teens, elderly adults, couples and families. We believe in the philosophy that mind and body do not operate separately, rather interdependently. All of the Holistic Counseling techniques that MindTree offers are evidence-based, peer reviewed, and represent current best practices in the field.