Myka Birchall, CMHC Intern

Maybe you’ve gotten really good at keeping things together, but still feel like something isn’t quite right. Maybe you understand your patterns but can’t seem to change them, or you’re simply tired of feeling stuck. If any of that sounds familiar, you’re not alone, and you don’t have to figure it all out before coming to therapy.

What I love about psychology is how much we know about what helps people feel better and make lasting change. I love continuing to learn about that science and finding ways to make it practical and useful in therapy. I work with a range of concerns and people, with particular experience working with women, adolescents, eating disorders, and OCD. I’m also especially interested in approaches like Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Internal Family Systems (IFS). I enjoy finding ways to tailor these approaches to the person sitting in front of me, because I don’t believe therapy is one-size-fits-all.

I’m pretty laid-back and believe therapy should feel like a place where you can be yourself. At the same time, I’m not afraid to be honest or challenge you when I think it could help. I believe you can feel both supported and pushed toward change, and that the two go hand in hand.

Above all, I believe the relationship between a therapist and client can genuinely change the course of treatment. You can have all the right techniques and evidence-based tools, but if you don’t feel understood, respected, and comfortable with the person sitting across from you, therapy isn’t going to be nearly as effective. My goal is to build a relationship where you feel safe enough to be honest, curious enough to explore, and supported enough to try something different.