AM I THE RIGHT THERAPIST FOR YOU?

Your connection to your therapist is of utmost importance!

Hello! My name is Michelle Ly. My approach in therapy positions me to never impose my ways on you. Life can be overwhelming at times and you’re not sure what to do with your thoughts and emotions. My job is to help you clear out the “mess” so you have a clear path to live the life the way you have always hoped for.

We will work together, at your pace. You and I are going to discover, reconnect and strengthen your core skills to learn how to manage and/or overcome what is causing you distress. We will identify and challenge the unhelpful messages that have kept you stuck. We will figure out what steps you’ll need to take towards the hope and dreams you’ve always had for yourself. My hope is to work with you to build the narrative in your life that is true and genuine to you.

My theoretical approach is rooted in the philosophies of Attachment, Narrative, and Trauma.

About Me…

I was born and raised in the United States with Vietnamese and Chinese heritage. My pronouns are she/her/hers. I grew up in a low income diverse community full of various people of color and beliefs. I regularly had to learn how to navigate and bridge American values and the values of my family.

I consider myself to be influenced by multiple cultures due to the environment in which I was raised. Due to this environment I firmly believe that our decisions are not made alone but also through the influence others have had on us.

I am an avid traveler who thrives and learns from immersing myself in different cultures. These unique experiences help me to question what is "normal." They also enable me to explore new ideas and perspectives. Things are never as simple as “well, that’s how it is supposed to be” when we live in a multicultural world.

My professional career has been primarily developed working in a community agency. As a Therapist and being in a Senior Leadership position, the roles have taught me the value of practicing work/life well-being when juggling multiple responsibilities each having their own demands and timelines.

I consider it a privilege to work with people of diverse cultural backgrounds such as religion, spirituality, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation and gender identity. However, it is not just a numbers game. It is also about impact. It is through the position of cultural humility, I believe that every voice is heard.

Licensure

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, 52796 (2012)

Certification

AAMFT Approved Clinical Supervisor (2018)

Education

MS in Marriage and Family Therapy (2008); San Diego State University

BS in Human Development (2003); UC San Diego

Professional Training and Experience

EMDR

Gottman Method - Level 2

Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy

Presentations

International Counseling Conference (2007)

Multi-Systemic Therapy and Social Responsibility (2008)

San Diego Behavioral Health Services - Children, Youth and Family (2017)

Early Childhood Mental Health Conference (2018)

Asian American Psychological Association Convention (2019)

Birth of Brilliance (2023)