Michaela Stam (she/her) is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker by the Virginia Board of Social Work who earned her Master of Social Work from Virginia Commonwealth University.

Michaela has experience in a vast array of mental health setting and populations. She is trained in Eye Movement Integration (EMI), which is a form of trauma treatment similar in structure and concept to EMDR, and is finalizing her training in EMDR to be able to offer both approaches to clients. Michaela uses approaches like Motivational Interviewing (MI), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and draws from attachment theory and ecological models to understand each person’s unique experiences and how their relationships shaped them. Michaela additionally has extensive experience with family system theory and attachment theories, understanding how relationships, family, and social needs impact overall wellbeing.

Michaela works with trauma (including complex trauma/PTSD), anxiety and social anxiety, depression, family concerns, executive functioning, and relationship stressors. Michaela has experience working with and supporting clients through grief, including ambiguous griefs like loss of a job, a dream, or a sense of self. Additionally, Michaela has experience working with individuals navigating religious trauma and has an understanding of protestant Christian religion as well as religious deconstruction.

Michaela believes therapy begins with taking the time to understand each person as an individual- their experiences, their relationships, their goals, and their strengths. She values a collaborative approach and works alongside clients to better understand patterns while identifying ways to move toward the life they want to build. She approaches therapy with curiosity, compassion, and the belief that meaningful change is possible, even when it feels difficult.

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