Hi, I'm Misha.
For two decades I worked primarily in mentoring teens and young adults, and in leadership development at an international university. I have been a lecturer in conferences, seminars, and classrooms on multiple continents on The Gift of Pain, and Enjoyment As A Modality For Healing. I am multi-lingual, have lived on multiple continents, and have traveled to over fifty countries. I helped found a non-profit that was profiled on NPR, NBC nightly news, the Oprah Angel Network, and the New York Times. After that, I went back to school to study psychology and human services while also working as an instructor for health coaches specializing in functional medicine and with those pursuing their national board certification. I opened a private practice utilizing research in interpersonal neurobiology, attachment, and somatic integration to help clients understand how our nervous systems influence our sense of safety and ability to form meaningful connections.
I was in a coma after childbirth, experienced extended postpartum depression, went through prolonged seasons of ambiguous loss, and had a chronic illness for many years in my twenties. Those experiences all contributed to my learning about healing, creating safety in our bodies, and learning to listen to them with gentleness in the day-to-day realities and pressures of living. In addition to my work with clients, I volunteer at my local hospital training community members who volunteer with NODA (No One Dies Alone) to serve as patient companions for those in their final stages of life, or who are hospitalized and in need of more social support. I also volunteer as a patient companion.
I have a deep appreciation for open-minded diversity and am a safe space for LGBTQIA+ folx. All walks of life and perspectives are welcome in meeting with me. Sitting on my porch swing, rainbow-colored bubble gum, blue hydrangeas, and swimming in a lake is my evidence that there is goodness in this world - that and Dutch licorice, which I love!
It is a tremendous honor for me to be able to help my clients learn to listen to their bodies with self-compassion, and to help them create the connections they long for with themselves, their teens, and others. Please don't hesitate to reach out if there is any way I can support you.
Qualifications & Training
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The Links Between Interoception, the Language of Emotion, and Human Connections, training via Kelly Mahler OTD, OTR/L & Rachael Thompson OT BSc
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Level II-a, Clinical training in Embodied Eating Disorder Recovery, via Embodied Recovery Institute
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Cornell University, Wellness Counseling
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Rhythm of Regulation with Deb Dana, Certificate via Polyvagal Learning Labs
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VIA Survey of Character Strengths Assessment and Applied Positive Psychology, Certification via FMCA
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Nationally Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach, via NBHWC, a nonprofit affiliate of the National Board of Medical Examiners
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Crucial Conversations & Mastery of Dialogue, Certificate via TWU
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Trinity Western University, BA in Psychology and Human Services, with Great Distinction
Pricing
Please reach out for pricing. I do not bill any insurance at this time, but I can provide a receipt for out-of-network services. If cost is ever prohibitive please don't hesitate to let me know. I offer limited sliding scale spots as well as student rates.
I also speak at high schools, retreats, and universities about listening to our bodies, gentleness, & enjoyment. For more information please reach out to: mishaleighcounseling@gmail.com.