Kerri Michalica, PhD

From Intellectualizing to Living Fully

My path to becoming a therapist was not a straight line. Before entering private practice, I spent 11 years teaching psychology at universities and colleges. While I loved the theory, I realized that taking a purely intellectual standpoint was not enough to care and support my own mental health or to help others do the same. This led me to train in Holotropic Breathwork and eventually transition into deep clinical work. I’ve spent over a decade running groups and several years in private practice as a therapist, learning that meaningful change happens when you’re able to move with ease within the thoughts in your head, the sensations of your body and the environment around you.

Understanding Your “Parts” with Internal Family Systems

One of the primary ways I help people move from reacting to responding is through Internal Family Systems Therapy (IFS). Think of your mind as a family made up of different “parts”. You might have a part that is a perfectionist, a part that feels deep anxiety, or a part that carries old childhood wounds. In our sessions, we do not try to get rid of these parts. Instead, we get curious about them and see who needs more of a voice and who has been taking up a bit too much airtime. By raising your awareness of these different aspects of yourself, you gain the clarity and “Self-leadership” needed to

make choices that align with who you are today, rather than being driven by old, automatic reactions.

Retraining Your System: How EMDR Works

When your nervous system is stuck in a state of overstimulation, which is common with childhood trauma, panic, or narcissistic abuse, it can feel impossible to just “think” your way into feeling safe. That is why I use EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing). EMDR is a powerful tool that helps your brain “digest” traumatic memories that have become stuck. By using rhythmic bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements or tapping, we help your nervous system process these old events so they no longer carry the same emotional charge. It is essentially a way of retraining your brain to recognize that the danger is in the past and you are safe in the present.

A Real Person, Rooting For You

I’ve been on the other side of things in therapy and I understand how important it is to know the person listening and helping you process your struggles actually understands the terrain you’re walking. Whether you’re recovering from the confusing aftermath of narcissistic abuse or navigating the heavy reality of “mysterious” illnesses like fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome, you don’t have to be alone with your struggles.

If you’ve been going back and forth about whether to start therapy, I’m here to confirm that it is possible to move from just surviving to truly being in control of your life. With the right support you’ll have more space to breathe and the freedom and confidence to be yourself. Interested in starting therapy? Reach out to book a free consult.