My goal is to help parents and caregivers respond intentionally to challenging situations, to support them in creating space for children to be their authentic selves, and to deepen each parent’s understanding that our children’s emotions are directly impacted by our own.
Michelle is a New York state-licensed clinical social worker. After receiving her bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in cognitive science from Georgetown University, Michelle moved to Brooklyn, NY where she joined a team at the NYU Child Study Center facilitating therapeutic playgroups for children. These groups focused on fostering children’s social and emotional development as well as parental attachment. Michelle subsequently received her master’s degree in social work from New York University and a master’s degree in child development from Sarah Lawrence College. Since beginning her clinical social work career in 2007, Michelle has worked with families in a variety of settings, including schools, homes, and outpatient mental health clinics. Michelle most recently worked as the Director of Elementary School Social Work at an intentionally diverse and K-8th grade school in Brooklyn, NY and spent 12 years as part of their social work team.
Michelle is also the Founder and CEO of Parenting Pathfinders, which provides parents and caregivers with online parenting therapy (for individuals, couples, and co-parents), parenting-focused consultations, workshops, practical tools, and effective strategies to help them address many of the challenges that can arise when raising children. Michelle also supports families in creating a home culture that values inclusion, challenges biases, and promotes anti-racism.
In addition, Michelle is an adjunct lecturer and faculty advisor at the Silver School of Social Work at New York University; has designed and facilitated several family-focused workshops for Parenting Pathfinders and Roots Connected, Inc; and been quoted in many major publications, including The Washington Post, National Geographic, Parents Magazine, Yahoo, and more.
Michelle has delivered keynote speeches on child development and anti-bias/anti-racist parenting. Some of the schools and organizations that have hired her to speak include New York University, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Georgetown Day School, The Packer Collegiate Institute, and Fosterful. She has also been invited to present at the 7th Annual Social Work in the City Conference hosted by the National Association of Social Workers (New York Chapter).
Whether she’s supporting individuals or families, Michelle’s work is rooted in mindfulness and builds upon each person's unique qualities and strengths.
Michelle received her bachelor's degree in psychology with a minor in cognitive science from Georgetown University, her master's degree in social work from New York University, and her master’s degree in child development from Sarah Lawrence College.
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