Michelle Montgomery

My commitment to supporting emergency responders is rooted in over 15 years of high-acuity clinical experience. From serving as a social worker in a Level 1 Trauma Center to acting as the Lead Mental Health Consultant at the Multnomah County Detention Center, I have worked alongside police, firefighters, nurses, and crisis professionals in the most demanding environments.

My perspective on community resilience was first shaped in 2001, when I moved to New York City and witnessed the extraordinary solidarity that emerges during a national crisis. Later, my work in Portland, Oregon—navigating periods of heightened community tension and public health emergencies—further reinforced my belief that those who protect our communities deserve specialized, dedicated support. I am passionate about providing a space for first responders to process their own crises with someone who truly understands the culture and the stakes.

I currently provide both in person and virtual sessions in Eugene and Portland.

As an emergency department clinician and former corrections officer, I am dedicated to supporting first responders and crisis workers. My focus is on facilitating lifestyle changes and developing effective coping mechanisms for those affected by work-based PTSD. I utilize evidence-based approaches, including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). I am also trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy.

I embrace an action-oriented approach that not only addresses trauma through therapy but also actively targets lifestyle and relationship goals. By cultivating strong therapeutic rapport, I empower clients to achieve comprehensive personal growth, ensuring they are equipped to thrive in all aspects of their lives.

Discomfort is the only way to create change and address behavioral challenges. My approach is to embrace discomfort by understanding why it exists and what changes need to be made to assist individuals with moving forward and creating a better life.

Health and fitness is also an important focus of my approach as our bodies and mind work collectively to create wellness. How you treat your body greatly influences the functionality of your mind.

Therapeutic Approaches

ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) is a model that assumes that even in the midst of tremendous pain and suffering, there’s an opportunity to find meaning, purpose, and vitality. In ACT, the goal is not to eliminate suffering, but to use the pain as a tool to grow and create a springboard into creating a rich and meaningful life.

CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) targets negative thinking patterns and how these thoughts lead to low self-esteem or negative self-talk. The goal of CBT is to replace these negative thoughts with positive affirmations, in turn creating positive outcomes. It is what I like to refer to as the “self-fulfilling prophecy” form of therapy.

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy) helps the brain reprocess and integrate traumatic memories, reducing their emotional impact. Traumatic memories can become “stuck” in the brain, leading to persistent distress and dysfunctional responses. EMDR aims to “unfreeze” these memories, allowing for adaptive resolution.