Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy is an evidence-based therapeutic model developed by Dr. Richard Schwartz. It is based on the idea that the mind is naturally made up of distinct "parts"—each with its own perspective, feelings, and role—all organized around a core Self. When we experience trauma, difficult emotions, or persistent patterns, it is often because certain parts have taken on roles to protect us.

IFS is non-pathologizing, meaning it treats no part of you as bad or broken. Instead, we work to help all your parts feel understood and to restore your core Self to a place of clarity, calm, compassion, courage, creativity, confidence, curiosity, and connectedness (the "8 Cs").

Many clients find IFS to be a gentler, more self-compassionate way to do inner work compared to traditional talk therapy.

Brainspotting is a neuro-experiential therapy developed by Dr. David Grand that grew out of EMDR. It differs from EMDR primarily in how the brain is engaged during processing. Brainspotting is based on the discovery that where we look (our eye position, or "brainspot") is connected to where we hold emotional and traumatic experiences in the brain and body. By finding and holding a brainspot while focusing on a felt sense, the brain is able to process and release stored trauma, emotional pain, and physical tension.

Like EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), Brainspotting works with the nervous system to process trauma that talk therapy alone may not fully reach. The key difference is that Brainspotting is more client-led and works at a slower, deeper pace — it does not use the rapid bilateral stimulation of EMDR. Instead, it allows the brain to process at its own natural rate, often reaching deeper layers of experience. Many clients who have not fully responded to EMDR find Brainspotting effective.

Michelle is Phase-3 trained in Brainspotting and has trained under Dr. Grand and other global leaders in the field, including Mark Grixt through BSPUK. 

Polyvagal Therapy is a nervous system-informed approach based on Polyvagal Theory, developed by Dr. Stephen Porges. The theory explains how the nervous system, specifically the vagus nerve, governs our automatic responses to safety, danger, and life threats. When we feel safe, we're able to connect, think clearly, and engage with the world. When our nervous system perceives a threat, we shift into fight/flight or freeze states, often without conscious awareness.

Polyvagal-informed therapy helps you understand your own nervous system responses and develop practices to build greater regulation, resilience, and a felt sense of safety in your body, in relationships, and in daily life.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a values-based, evidence- and cognitive-based therapy that focuses on three core moves: accepting difficult thoughts and feelings rather than fighting them, clarifying what truly matters to you, and committing to actions aligned with your values, even in the presence of discomfort. ACT is particularly effective for anxiety, depression, chronic pain, and life transitions.