Michelle Skagen

You might feel as though you are navigating a landscape of constant change, the heavy pull of grief, the buzz of ADHD, or the friction of raising teenagers while trying to stay grounded yourself. Whether you are a parent carrying the weight of family demands, a young adult struggling to align your life with your values, or just struggling to get through the day, life's inevitable hardships can leave you feeling stuck and disconnected. I work with people of all ages in the Roaring Fork Valley and beyond who are ready to move from survival mode to thriving again. Bringing my unique career and life experiences into my practice as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, I offer the compassionate, expert guidance that comes from years of professional training and transformative personal experiences. As a former educator and a mother of older teens, I understand the challenges of working full-time, parenting in a rural resort in the digital age, and navigating the complexities of aging parents. If you are looking for a safe and supportive space to process the frustrations of modern life, caregiver burden, grief, stress, or misalignment with values, I would love for you to reach out.

The most important element in my therapy sessions is the relationship between myself and the client. Healing is possible when trust is established, when unconditional positive regard is felt, and when one's guard is down. My sessions are individualized to each client and each presenting problem, and my strength is presence and attunement. I provide person-centered therapy tailored to your unique needs and strengths, working mostly with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy while integrating elements of many other interventions when appropriate. ACT is about accepting what we cannot control and committing to actions that are aligned with our deepest values, helping clients build psychological flexibility and move toward a values-driven life. I also integrate Brainspotting, a somatic-based intervention that promotes healing from trauma, painful emotions, and maladaptive behaviors by accessing the brain's self-healing abilities to support healing that goes beyond what words can reach.

I strive to cultivate a calm, non-judgmental environment that allows you to step away from daily stress right from the start. The first session together is a combination of establishing rapport together, identifying the most pressing problems, exploring existing coping skills and strengths, and establishing realistic treatment goals. We will use this initial hour to explore your history, symptoms, and client-centered goals at a natural, comfortable pace without any pressure. I believe therapy must be accessible outside of work hours, so you can visit my website to check my evening and weekend availability to find a time that works best for your life.