Testimonials from those who have Connected

Connecting with Michaelene

When I first made the decision to start counseling/therapy I was desperate for someone, anyone, to hear my pleas for help. I was hitting the end of a very sharp and painful roller coaster and was almost at the permanent crash landing.

My first session with Michaelene I was scared out of my shoes, anxiety attacks constantly. I walked in early and she didn't hesitate to see me. One of my favorite memories of her is during our first meeting. She looked so comfortable, in fuzzy boots, a warm sweater and a scarf (it was very cold in the building that day). That helped me relax a lot. 

I had been in therapy before, but all were very uptight and firm. Not willing to be patient and ask for what I needed. And not willing to relax and laugh a little. This was very different. Michaelene was VERY patient with me. Honest, and willing to lend a hand, or hug, if needed. Always found a way to make me smile at the end of a session, even if I fought it. She helped me find my "voice," and taught me how to use it in ways that would help me. She helped me find different ways of coping with my self injury urges. I honestly think I was the luckiest person ever for having Michaelene as my therapist. I was able to "grow up," finding out who I am, the strong willed, patient, caring person that I am, and being able to use it to relieve stress and anger. I've found ways to be myself without being what everyone else wants me to be.

If I had the extraordinary opportunity to work with Michaelene again I would excitedly jump at it!! I've known her for two years, and I don't know where I'd be if I'd never met her. She is truly a blessing. For me, one of those women I can think back on and remember as one of the few strong female influences I've had the beauty of knowing.  ~ Jessica
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In general, life is hard. Then you throw in stressors (good or bad) and when you feel alone, life is even harder. I was referred to Michaelene by a previous therapist that I could no longer see, and to be quite honest I was very upset that I had to switch therapists yet again. Finally I called Michaelene and after a few times of phone tag, we set up an appointment. She was very professional on the telephone but very warm, and I knew from that moment that this was one of the best decisions I had ever made. Working with Michaelene for the past two years has taught me how to let love in, how to love myself and stand in my own power, to hear/feel my own voice. It sounds simple, but there were many days that I never wanted to go on, that I didn't think I’d ever be out of the clutches of the demon of depression that possessed me for so long, but Michaelene was there.

In our sessions, she always kept professional boundaries but somehow managed to show so much
passion and compassion, which made working to be a better person far easier than I ever imagined.
Now don’t get me wrong, change of any type can be difficult, and Michaelene challenged me (when
I was ready), she always knew the right tools to use (family constellations, meditation, etc.) and she
always offered support, encouragement and love in ways that I’ve never felt before. She really stays true to her mission statement and always provides a loving, reassuring and peaceful atmosphere to work in. It always makes me smile, reflecting on the work we’ve done together for the past two years and I cannot express my gratitude toward her for being so patient, and gentle but also challenged me to fill my toolbox up with various tools to overcome anxiety, depression as well as any other obstacle I have faced.

One of the greatest things about working with Michaelene is that she always does her own work too.
She’s constantly researching and tweaking different tools, and seeking out various paths to go about
helping someone. She’s determined and genuine; one of the strongest, intelligent, caring and helpful people I have ever met. She sees through to your soul and does anything and everything she can to help you see it as well. I always tell people that if I had one wish it would be for them to see me how I was two years ago, so they know just how dark of a place I was in; but then I stop and take a look in the mirror and realize that they don’t need to know me back then to know just how much of a difference Michaelene has made in my life, because today it shines through my heart and soul and into the world. ~ DKD

Connecting in Workshops

I have both witnessed and participated in Michaelene's constellation work, which I find very powerful and deeply spiritual. I recently suggested that one of my own clients visit Michaelene for a constellation session. The client reported very positive changes after her work with Michaelene. There was a deep and grounding shift toward inner peace, which was present for her even during stressful family gatherings around the holidays. ~ Metro Detroit psychotherapist
“There’s like this whole community of people that are rooting for my healing and for what I’m up to day in and day out because they have been – they have, you know been there for me because they have been my mother, been my father. So it’s a whole – like through this work, I’ve built a whole community to support my healing that one little event.” ~ Ruby
I began hearing about the Family Constellation Approach to therapy from co-workers, and wanted to get a basic idea of what it entailed when I signed up for one of the workshops.  I initially thought it would be a basic training introduction and was surprised when I realized I would be an active participant along with the other members of the group.

Although I consider myself a new age person and someone who is open to non traditional aspects of therapy I was a bit skeptical when I walked in and there was a strong scent of incense and a circle prepared with chairs, all with a box of tissue neatly arranged next to each chair.  I had planned on taking lots of notes and listening to theory, not crying.  The experience left me speechless and amazed at how powerful and honest our senses really are. The facilitators really created a safe place and were patient in allowing each participant to work at the level they felt comfortable. I left the workshop physically drained but restored with a sense of great insight into my personal relationships. I would strongly recommend these workshops and plan on attending more myself. ~ I.B.
“It’s a way of looking within yourself and within all the family members throughout the generations, their fate, their destinies… And that lets you make better decisions for the future, including emotions.” ~ Trixie
“It’s pretty interesting to see somebody around you change when they don’t even – they have no awareness of what you’re doing or understanding of it, but it changes them or it changes the way you are around them and it allows the next thing to happen… I was like wow.” ~ Teresa
“You know, it’s easy to think that sort of the foundation of what’s true in healing is purely psychological, and it isn’t … it just goes deeper than what we think of the psychological healing. It’s really soul healing, the way that I experience it. It’s developing more and more and more integrity, become more and more integrated. It’s [FC] just given me that much more compassion for why people are the way they are and why they do what they do. And I feel less blaming or less, just less judgmental.” ~ Amy