Orientation & Specialties | Michelle Matson | Seattle Domestic Violence Counselor
Orientation & Specialties | Michelle Matson | Seattle Domestic Violence Counselor
Orientations & Specialties
Each person has a unique developmental history with varying degrees of pain or trauma. There is no 'one size fits all' therapy. While my emphasis is on relational therapy, I seek to utilize therapies that fit your unique personality, circumstances, developmental history, experiences of trauma, and stressors, in order to come up with the best possible option.
It is my belief that healing occurs in safe relationships where individuals experience validation, respect, compassion, encouragement, honesty, and grace. Each person has a unique story. Together, my clients and I delve into their stories, for it is in the telling and retelling that insights on current problems become clear.
My goal is for my clients to grieve their losses, gain and sustain healthy and satisfying relationships, practice good self-care, and function well so they can enjoy life to the fullest.
I am trained in Lifespan Integration as well as EMDR therapy. I also have extensive training in Trauma-Focused Narrative Therapy through the Allender Center.
Some of the training and classes I have completed are:
Lifespan Integration Level 1: May 30-31, 2015; Level 2: Sept 24-25, 2015; & Level 3: Nov 16-17, 2018.
Domestic Violence Advocacy program at the Washington Correction Center for Women.
Trauma, Body & The Brain: Restoring Capacity for Rhythm and Play with Bessel van der Kolk and Licia Sky, August 2016.
Group Therapy and Advanced Group Therapy class participation and training: 2013-2014.
Domestic Violence Advocacy, Issues of Abuse, and Impact of Abuse classes: 2013-2014.
Neuroscience meets Family Science – Mindfulness in Relationships seminar featuring marriage experts John and Julie Gottman and neuroscientist Daniel Siegel: 2014.
Marriage and Family Therapy, Sexual Disorders, Introduction to Counseling Children and Adolescents, and Human Growth and Development classes: 2012-2014.
Trauma Workshop, Attachment in Psychotherapy Workshop, Story Workshop and 10-week Story/To Be Told Group: 2012-2013.
Externship Program at The Allender Center at The Seattle School, 2015-2016.
Training Certificate Advanced Track: February 23-25, 2017 and May 4-6, 2017.
EMDR Training: March 10-12, 2017 and July 14-16, 2017. EMDR Certification Program 2022.