We recently connected with Michelle Turner and have shared our conversation below.

Michelle, appreciate you joining us today. What’s the kindest thing anyone has ever done for you?

My grandmother was my hero. When I think about the kindest thing someone has ever done for me, I think about the times my grandmother stood up to my father when he was angry and took it out on me, his 6–7-year-old daughter. I grew up in a patriarchal household where what my father said set the rules for others to follow. He was a good man and I believe that he did the best he could to take care of his family, but he did not know how to be a good father. I remember times when I was beaten for reasons that my brain could not comprehend. I remember my younger self avoiding my father or being alone with him so I would not get in trouble and get hit. It was difficult for my mother and other adults to recognize that physical abuse was serious and detrimental to a child or to anyone who suffers from it. The adults did not understand that it was their duty not to ignore or to tolerate the abuse by “minding their own business.” My hero- the little, skinny, 4 foot 1 woman stood firm and fierce to my father to protect me from his wrath. Even though she could not stop my father from hurting me, her efforts were more than enough. As a child, I did not know why I felt so safe when I was with her when I did not feel safe in my own home. As an adult, I realized that she was my guardian/protector at heart. People say when you have a person whom you know will look out for you no matter what, it makes the journey of battling abuse and trauma less scary and lonely.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

For those who have not read about me, I’m Michelle and I am a marriage and family therapist. I own a private practice in Dallas and I offer online therapy to support clients in receiving care from the comfort of their homes. I love helping millennial families, couples, and individuals overcome relationship problems, childhood trauma, generational trauma, addiction, and abuse. Building successful relationships can be so damn hard. It’s even harder when you are weighed down by the trauma of your painful past. I believe that what sets me apart from others is that I do not compete, I stand out because I am confident of the quality and authenticity of the work I offer in therapy. I believe in abundance and I love collaborating with other therapists and professionals to provide as much help as possible to those who are in need of mental health.

My brand, The Therapist Within Counseling, speaks my true belief that we all have the wiser, stronger self within us. We just need guidance, affirmation, and support to fully awaken the therapist part within ourselves to help us thrive and grow in life and relationships.

If you wonder what type of therapist I am, I’m a no BS type of therapist. You can expect me to be clear, direct, and transparent with you to help you quickly identify where you’re stuck. I’ve learned along the way that clarity brings growth. That’s how we move forward in life and relationships.

If you could go back, would you choose the same profession, specialty, etc.?

If I could go back, I’d still choose the same profession of marriage and family therapy. Assisting families and couples in therapy is a challenging mission but it is very impactful and fulfilling profession. It requires you to receive consistent trainings and mentorships to stay relational, systemic, and attachment-focused to avoid blaming, shaming, or being stuck in narratives that do not serve the client. When I work with individuals, I use the same systemic, relational, and attachment-focused because I believe that we do not exist alone in this world. Every one of us has significant relationships, including our relationship with self, in life regardless of the form of counseling we choose to seek.

Other than training/knowledge, what do you think is most helpful for succeeding in your field?

Self of the therapist is extremely important in helping the clinician navigate their work in the therapy room as well as in the field when collaborating with other professionals. Understanding oneself is the prerequisite for helping others. “How can I help someone identify and overcome their inner turmoil when I don’t know my own inner world? How can I help someone overcome their trauma when I put off my own trauma work? These are the questions I keep at heart to remind myself what I need to practice to remain a competent clinician.

Collaborating with other professionals in the field is also very important to succeed in this profession. As I mentioned earlier, rather than competing, I choose to collaborate with others because I cannot thrive alone. I cannot help the client by isolating myself. The stronger of a multidisciplinary team I can help someone create, the better success in treatment they can experience. The more mindful I am surrounded myself with trusted colleagues and acquaintances, the more confident I feel in continuing this line of work.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.mytherapistwithin.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetherapistwithincounseling/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TTWCounseling
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-turner-7200341aa/