Michelle Washington
MA, LPC, NBCC
I have counseled and supported people experiencing:
- relationship challenges
- caregiver fatigue
- cancer-diagnosis and end of life
- childhood abuse survivors
- adult abuse survivors
- anxiety and depression
My approach to therapy
My Inspirational 5:
“As I learned how to change my perceptions of my marital partner, I saw that my happiness lay not in what I could get from her, but in my choosing more often to love her without expectations of what I might get back. I learned that when I was able to love her without strings attached, she often became more loving, sometimes with her love wrapped in very different-colored packages than I was asking for, yet these new colors were often richer than what I was requesting. I also learned that when I did not do this consistently, I would instantly create pain for myself and often for her. And of great importance, I came to understand her not so much as a separate objective reality, but often as a mirror of my own attitudes, thoughts, and perceptions.”
― Henry Grayson, Mindful Loving
““When we fail to set boundaries and hold people accountable, we feel used and mistreated. This is why we sometimes attack who they are, which is far more hurtful than addressing a behavior or a choice.”
― Brené Brown, The Gifts of Imperfection
Peoria IL Therapists Assist with:
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Anxiety:
Addressing generalized anxiety, panic attacks, or specific phobias by identifying triggers and building targeted coping strategies. QEEG Brain Training addresses direct and quantified brain states to train the brain out of this heightened state.
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Depression:
Managing feelings of persistent sadness, hopelessness, and loss of interest in daily life. QEEG Brain Training addresses direct and quantified brain states to train the brain out of this underactive state.
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Trauma or PTSD:
Processing past abuse, accidents, or other traumatic events to reduce intrusive symptoms and emotional distress from repeating in the present.
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Relationship Issues:
Working through communication blocks, family conflicts in romantic, platonic, or familial relationships. Infidelity in personal recovery or intentional relationship healing.
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Life Transitions:
Navigating major life changes such as a career shift, divorce, retirement, or the loss of a loved one.
Choose therapy for:
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Stress Management:
Learning to balance work-related burnout, financial stress, or everyday overwhelm through practical time management and mindfulness.
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Substance Abuse & Addictions:
Overcoming substance dependence or behavioral addictions by addressing underlying triggers and developing relapse prevention plans.
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Self-Esteem and Confidence:
Addressing negative self-talk, imposter syndrome, and body image issues to foster a healthier self-image.
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Grief and Loss:
Coping with bereavement or the end of a significant relationship with specialized emotional support.
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Personal Growth:
Deepening self-awareness, exploring life goals, and understanding personal behavioral patterns, even in the absence of a diagnosed mental health condition.