I'm Michaela, impresario of life

As Carl Jung said, "The privilege of a lifetime is to become who we truly are."

ME: I'm critical thinking, independently minded, ever-learner who grew up in the rural Sierra Nevadas without running water or electricity. I believe the key to living a happy life is learning how to speak your truth with grace and live a courageous life of authenticity. This requires checking in with yourself often, exploring old patterns that aren’t serving you, tapping into grit and resiliency, and having a growth-oriented mindset.

I'm an avid adventurer, having traveled to 20+ countries, and an endless horizon lover. I'm a licensed tailwheel (multiengine and seaplane) pilot who loves radial engines and vintage aircraft and flies a 1947 Piper SuperCruiser aptly named Poptart, you can find her on social media. It was a challenging feat to enter, compete and WIN the 2023 Palms to Pines Air Race with the slowest airplane (old school stick & rudder style). I've also officially made it through my first real-life in flight emergency. Flying is my happy place, it's exhilarating, terrifying, and exciting all at once, but I feel incredibly empowered to experience a different perspective on life. I have recently launched a new aviation company you can learn more about here. 

In my spare time (haha), you’ll find me hiking, gardening, spinning on my pottery wheel, or reading. I live with my family (a house full of boys) and practice sustaining with a homestead full of furred and feathered creatures in Northern California.

YOU: Are you tired of living a lukewarm life? Are you wanting to be seen, heard and validated? Do you want to improve communication and boundaries in your relationships? As a psychotherapist and life coach, my approach is collaborative, together we'll help you gain the internal clarity you need to live your best life. I believe a story heard is the path to healing.

If you're ready for counseling or coaching, you can learn more about my offerings below and use the booking page to schedule a free consult.

PIVOT COACHING

The relationship you have with yourself impacts every relationship in your life. As your PIVOT coach I empower you with a high-impact, actionable and individually-tailored process, so you can live your best life at any age. How you “show up” with others and the relational decisions in life thus far, can significantly impact your current relationships with partners, children, parents, family, and colleagues.

I help you develop an action plan based on your unique storyline. This unique “Go-to” Healthy Adult plan includes establishing and implementing your own internal boundaries and a road map for RELATIONAL ALIGNMENT, which combines rational thinking (THINK), emotional intelligence (FEEL), and healthy actions (DO). You can learn more about PIVOT here.

COUPLES INSTITUTE OF THE BAY AREA

It's a fun and interesting role as a sex therapist to work with the unique personalities and things that come up in the couple's dynamic. 55% of all communication is nonverbal, often when couples come to me they are stuck in patterns of playing the guessing game with what their partner is thinking. I teach you how to express your needs in a way that you can be seen, heard and validated, while being able to see, hear and validate your partner.

I enjoy helping my couples begin to see the passion and intimacy come back into their relationship and using newly learned tools for communication, trust & vulnerability. I have specific training in sex therapy (Modern Sex Therapy Institutes), as well as toxic relationships and narcissistic personality disorder. As an on-staff therapist at the Couples Institute (Bay Area), I specialize in helping couples using the proven Developmental Method (emotionally focused & attachment based) for counseling.

INSURANCE CLIENTS (LIMITED AVAILABILITY)

I believe we bring things from our childhood and teen years in terms of pain body wounds and having insight to them can create healthier adult relationships. I offer telehealth and in-person sessions.

Bachelor of Arts in Journalism Communications, Master of Arts in Psychology. PhD , Clinical Sexology, in progress (under supervision). California State Licensed Psychotherapist, inquire for licensing info.

• Read one of my books which aim to inspire positive growth and change
• Shop Happy tools to get you started on your way to happiness
• Listen to one of my guided meditations on InsightTimer, or check out the BE YOU FIND HAPPY top iTunes podcast