Michelle Davis-Fick

About Michelle

My approach

We don’t do one-size-fits-all therapy. Your healing journey is personalized. Together, we’ll collaborate on a custom roadmap to help you heal, reclaim your self-worth, and thrive. Depending on your unique goals, we utilize highly effective, specialized modalities: • EMDR & DBT • Narcissistic Abuse Recovery • Gottman

About me

Bri has a master's in Family and Marriage counseling and is still actively working as a first responder. Bri truly understands trauma and working with narcissistic abuse victims. She's passionate about guiding narcissistic abuse victims to build self-confidence and thrive to be the person they have always wanted to be and helping first responders/families.

More background

Question 1: If you could pick one movie or book that influenced your approach to therapy, what would it be and why?

The movie Patch Adams profoundly influenced my approach to therapy by highlighting the critical importance of human connection, empathy, and holistic care. The film beautifully showcases how humor can be used to build rapport, de-escalate tension, and offer a fresh perspective on difficult situations. In a therapeutic context, I find this approach invaluable for two main reasons: • Bringing Perspective: Humor helps clients reframe rigid thinking and view their problems from a less threatening angle. A well-timed, empathetic moment of levity can break a negative thought loop and provide immediate cognitive relief. • Releasing Tension: Shared laughter reduces stress and physiological anxiety during a session. It creates a sense of normalcy, reminds clients of their capacity for joy, and strengthens the therapeutic alliance.

Question 2: In what ways have your personal experiences influenced your work with your clients?

While maintaining strict professional boundaries, my personal experiences profoundly shape how I relate to my clients' unique struggles and strengthen my foundational values. Having a background as a first responder and navigating narcissistic family dynamics translates into a nuanced, deeply respectful, and highly empathetic therapeutic style.

The Impact of Being a First Responder

My background as a first responder uniquely equips me to handle crisis, trauma, and high-stress professional cultures. This experience directly benefits my clients by: • Understanding the Culture: I intimately understand a mindset that often emphasizes stoicism, downplays mental health struggles, and relies on dark humor as a coping mechanism. Speaking this "language" allows clients to feel authentically seen and understood without judgment. • Normalizing Trauma Responses: Having witnessed direct and vicarious trauma, I can deeply normalize the cumulative effects of acute stress. I help clients recognize that their physiological and emotional responses to extraordinary circumstances are completely valid.

The Impact of Navigating Narcissistic Family Dynamics

Surviving and navigating relational trauma within narcissistic systems gives me a specialized, firsthand understanding of complex psychological warfare. This allows me to help clients by: • Validating the Invisible Wound: I recognize the subtle patterns of gaslighting, emotional manipulation, and boundary violations that leave clients doubting their own reality. • Empowering Autonomy: My personal insight fuels my passion for helping clients break free from enmeshment, establish unshakeable boundaries, and rebuild the self-esteem that narcissistic systems systematically erode.

Specialties

Types of therapy

Who Michelle works with

Ages

Children (6-10), Preteens (11-13), Teens (14-19), Adults, Elders (65+)

Communities

Veterans, First Responders, People with Disabilities, Single Parents

Languages

English

Education and training

Master of Professional Counseling in Family and Marriage, University of Northern Colorado, 2019

Certifications

Gottman Level 2

EMDR Trained