Dr. Michelle Hallahan
EdD, LPC, CCMHC, ACS, BCTP-III

Hi there. I’m Dr. Hallahan :)

I obtained my graduate training from CACREP-accredited programs, including a Master of Science in School Counseling from Syracuse University, and a Doctorate in Counselor Education and Supervision from the American School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University. I am also board certified in clinical mental health counseling.

As I previously alluded to, my experience with mental health wasn't always just professional—it's deeply personal as well. I've walked a path, navigating the maze of emotions, the highs and lows, the moments of despair and feeling alone. But amidst the darkness, there were also glimmers of hope. I want to emphasize this: there is hope; even in the darkest times, there is light.

 My flame is fueled by my passion for healing. I can share my light until we find yours. My light guides individuals grappling with depression, anxiety, stress, trauma, ASD, ADHD, neurodivergence, and many other life adjustments from early adolescence into adulthood. But more than that, I specialize in truly seeing you. The authentic you, beyond labels and diagnoses that society pushes because you might be seen as different, and the masks you wear to hide the shame of how others might perceive you.  

 With compassionate support and understanding, I welcome you to join me in a safe and collaborative space. Together, we'll gently shine a light on your unique story, a valuable and worthy story. We'll nurture the spirit that overpowers challenges. We'll reverse patterns that still exist, ignite resilience, motivation, and passion, and rekindle the character strengths that anchor you to who you are in the here and now. 

So, take a deep breath. Submit the form below. We've got this!

Philosophy

I strive to help my clients feel understood, engage in healthy and positive behaviors, and feel confident in their own skin. I am passionate about my work with clients and work to create a safe, genuine, non-judgmental environment to help them discover their own unique sources of strength, resilience, and potential. I use an eclectic, person-centered approach to treatment, integrating compassion and warmth with research-based cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and positive psychotherapy approaches, tailoring treatment to target the specific, unique needs of each client to achieve the results they desire.

Specialty Areas

neurodivergence, autism spectrum, and ADHD

I am passionate about working with people are are neurodivergent. I’ve always been different and I want to help people who are neurodivergent feel included and accepted. I also use a positive, strengths based approach— a lot of society tells people who are neurodivergent that they are weird and awkward but together we will help you see and understand your strengths to support your well being.

emdr

We all carry negative self beliefs within ourselves that we’ve accumulated over a lifetime. EMDR gets to the root of your negative self beliefs, stressors, and traumas to help you in the here and now and to help free you from the past.

children and adolescents

I treat a wide variety of mental health concerns in children and adolescents with expertise in a broad range of complex behavioral and adjustment issues, including mood, anxiety, anger, defiance, ADHD, and trauma.

young adulthood, self-acceptance, discovering your identity, life transitions

I work with young adults struggling to navigating depression, anxiety, relationships, life stressors, and times of transition in their 20s and early 30s, looking to discover their identities, and their unique strengths and potential.

life adjustment and transitions, life stressors

I work with adults with mood, anxiety, and adjustment concerns, in the process of navigating significant life stressors, events, and times of transition.

clinical supervision of counseling residents

I am a board certified supervisor and also approved by the Virginia Board of Counseling to supervise residents working toward licensure. I am passionate about mentoring and supervision and offer both individual and group supervision.

Certifications

Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS)

I am an Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS) through the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC); this credential identifies mental health professionals dedicated to providing supervision of the highest quality and who have met rigorous national professional supervision standards.

Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor (CCMHC)

I hold a national certification as a Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor. This credential distinguishes counselors dedicated to the highest standards of practice in clinical mental health counseling, meeting stringent education, examination, supervision, experience, and ethical requirements.

National Certified Counselor (NCC)

I am a national certified counselor, reflecting my dedication and interests in promoting national standards of counseling and an ongoing professional commitment to the field.

Board Certified Telehealth Professional - Level 3 (BCTP-III)

This extensive board certification reflects the highest level of commitment to best practices in providing safe, effective telehealth services to clients.

EMDR Trained Clinician 

I am currently advancing toward certification to become an EMDR certified clinician. My training in EMDR thus far has grounded me with the ability to work with patients with trauma, depression, and anxiety who are interested in incorporating this transformative, evidence based approach into their treatment. Certification in EMDR is a professional credential demonstrating a higher level of experience supported by an additional 20 hours of consultation and 12 more CEUs, which I am currently working towards.

Professional Associations

• American Counseling Association (ACA)

• Association for Counselor Education & Supervision (ACES)

• Virginia Counseling Association (VCA)

• Eye-Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing International Association (EMDRIA)

Clinical Supervision

supervision philosophy

In addition to working with clients, I am passionate about supporting supervisees on their quest as counseling residents working toward licensure in VA and NY. To meet supervisees where they’re at, I supervise through a person-centered lens, using unconditional positive regard, authenticity, empathy, and acceptance — perfect ingredients for collaboration and building a strong rapport. The process, content, and delivery are guided by Bernard’s (1979) Discrimination Model, which speaks to immediacy and intentionality by alternating between relevant roles (teacher, consultant, and counselor) and modalities (intervention, conceptualization, and personalization).

Supervision lens

The ways people learn are important to understanding the totality of therapy and supervision. I am a visual learner and use a lot of infographics and visual aids; however, I also tap into the learning style of the supervisee to communicate in a way that speaks on a personal level.

I am almost fully trained and am working toward EMDR certification through EMDRIA. I am starting to use this lens more and more in my clinical work; however, I continue to learn and grow by seeing each person on an individual level through a Positive Psychotherapy and Strengths-Based orientation.

I look forward to working with you on personalizing the process, helping you become more self-aware in and out of session, and refining your counseling style, philosophical perception, and theoretical orientation.

Supervision Interests

• Child and Adolescent

• Early Adulthood

• Life Transitions

• Anxiety, Depression, and Mood-Related Disorders

• ADHD and Related Disorders

• Opposition and Defiance

• Career Counseling

• Self-Harm / Suicidal Ideation / Trauma-Related Diagnoses
   

Additional Areas of Expertise

Academic Stress and Pressure
Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Adjusting to Life Transitions
Adolescence
Anger
Anxiety
Attention Problems
Autism (High-Functioning)
Bipolar Disorder
Child Anxiety
Child Depression
Defiance
Depression
Discovering Your Identity
Eating Disorders
Emotional Dysregulation
Finding Meaning and Purpose
Finding Passion and Creativity
Generalized Anxiety
Grief and Loss
Impulsivity
Identity
LGBTQ+
Life Stress
Life Transitions
Low Self Esteem
Mood disorders
Perfectionism
Persistent Depressive Disorder
Personal Growth
Pre-teens
Relationship and Communication Difficulties
Self-Care
Seasonal Affective Disorders
Self-Criticism
Self-Esteem
Social Anxiety
Stress Management
Struggling to Launch
Substance Use
Trauma
Young Adults

more ABOUT ME

I am inspired when…

clients become their own therapists. Whether they call themselves out on behaviors they didn't notice before, use counseling terminology, or make a connection for that ah-ha moment - these are all proof of a new path forward.

I believe…

that therapy can be hard, but it's so much more than that. I believe in a therapy that is fun, enlightening, forgiving, encouraging, compassionate, validating, resonating, and empowering. I believe it's about connecting on a level that evokes something in you that you never knew you had.

favorite QUOTES

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