Michelle Hernandez

Healing is not about fixing what’s broken, it’s about remembering what has always been whole within you. My name is Michelle Hernandez, and I’m the therapist behind Tonalli Healing, a practice rooted in warmth and gentle restoration.

In Nahua (Aztec) philosophy, tonalli is the vital life energy that carries identity, purpose, and consciousness. At Tonalli Healing, this philosophy guides my approach to the therapeutic process with the goal of helping you reconnect with your inner light and sense of self, especially after life, trauma, or oppression may have dimmed it.

I earned my Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Arizona and my Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs. My education, combined with lived experience and ongoing training, supports a practice that honors both evidence-based care and holistic wisdom.

My work centers around supporting individuals (14 years old and beyond) who experience high-functioning anxiety, people who tend to carry much for others while quietly managing their own stress beneath the surface. This also includes supporting clients who are navigating trauma, identity, and life transitions. Through a gentle, Person-Centered lens, I work to create space to slow down, explore the deeper layers of stress, and cultivate balance, clarity, and self-compassion.

My approach is trauma-informed, culturally attuned, and collaborative, honoring both your story and your resilience. To supplement, I also incorporate Internal Family Systems (IFS), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) — using bilateral stimulation to help integrate mind and body. I also weave in creative expression and mindfulness to help you explore what words alone can’t always reach.

I believe therapy is a sacred space to slow down, breathe, and listen to what your mind, body, and spirit have been trying to tell you. My role is to walk beside you as you rediscover your balance, voice, and inner wisdom, at your own pace, and in your own way.

Your first session at Tonalli Healing is a gentle space to share your story, explore what’s bringing you to therapy, and begin clarifying your goals for healing. When helpful, we may use brief assessments or questionnaires to gain insight into patterns like mood, stress, or trauma responses. Together, we’ll move at your pace and create a plan that honors your needs, values, and strengths.