Ms. Michaels is a California licensed Deaf Mexican-American therapist, who also holds certification as a Distance Credentialed Counselor.  A Susanville, California native, she obtained her Master’s degree in counseling psychology from National University and her Bachelor’s degree in psychology and Mexican-American studies from University of California, Davis. Her internship included training in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy (TF-CBT), an evidence-based treatment for children and adolescents impacted by trauma and their parents or caregivers.  She has worked in various mental health settings including private practice, non-profit, community-based and church-based, providing services to children, adolescents, families, couples and adults. She enjoys providing counseling and therapy services to Deaf clients on a national basis.

Ms. Michaels has also worked for NorCal Services for Deaf and Hard of Hearing as an advocate and outreach coordinator, while also volunteering as an intern with their program for Deaf developmentally disabled adults.  Most recently, she worked for DeafSAFE, providing counseling and therapy services to Deaf survivors of domestic violence, sexual violence, dating violence and stalking.  She has taught beginning ASL classes at Lassen Community College and volunteered for eight summers at Camp SignShine and Camp Grizzly, one-week summer camps for Deaf youth.