Facing Your Traumas with Michelle

This week we interviewed a certified clinical trauma expert who is also a licensed clinical social worker, reiki practitioner, Michelle Connor. I do not have enough words to express how incredible and resilient Michelle is. She has spent most of her life taking care of her family and others and finally took a step back to work on her own healing, when she was faced with infertility issues. Michelle has been in hermit mode, off of social media altogether, while she embarked upon her own healing journey for the past three years and is finally ready to share her story in hopes to help others.Michelle's Bio:Michelle Connor, LCSW, is a licensed Clinical Social Worker and certified Reiki Practitioner. Michelle is also a certified Clinical Trauma Expert. Michelle completed her studies at Fordham University, earning a Masters degree in Social Work, with a clinical concentration. She earned a Bachelors of Science Degree in Social Work, and minored in Psychology and Sociology from Southern Connecticut State University.  Michelle has an extensive history working with individuals and families in an array of settings, witch include; Outpatient, Inpatient, Partial Hospitalization Programs, Crisis Intervention, School based Health Clinic Programs and Private Practice.Her training has been centered around; Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Crisis Intervention, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing and Mindfulness, while incorporating a Strengths Based Approach and meeting her clients exactly where they are in the moment. Michelle’s most recent employer was Yale Hospital, in which she was asked to work in any program needed, within Yale Psychiatric Hospital. This included providing, individual and group therapy, crisis management and leadership roles.    Michelle’s work early in her career revolved around working with children and adolescents. However, in the past five years, she has found herself working with more with young adults and adults. While working at Yale, Michelle also worked for a small Private Practice in New Haven before taking a leap of faith and opening her own in 2017/2018. After being promoted to an LCSWII, within Yale’s Organization, Michelle began to notice her own Mental Illness was finally catching up to her and began to affect her work ethic negatively. This is when she first began her journey of self-love and self care, resulting in her resignation from Yale Hospital. Michelle took the risk and opened her own Private Practice in August of 2017, which had been one of her ultimate dreams. Opening her own business, and working less hours, allowed Michelle to be able to also embark upon her own healing journey and engage in her own trauma therapy, while continuing to help others. While conquering through her own trauma, Michelle experienced a Spiritual Awakening, which has excitedly led her to expanding her already established private practice in which, she has recently become Reiki Certified and is currently enrolled in an award winning; Hypnotherapy program, called Rapid Transformational Therapy. Books recommended by Michelle:"Many lives, many masters", by Dr. Brian Weiss"The book of Joy", by Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu