KERRI MICHAEL, LCSW, RYT

My focus is on helping folks heal from the effects of trauma. I can help with anxiety, depression, PTSD, relationship issues, attachment trauma, grief and loss, and all the stresses of life that impact all of us. If you’re navigating a tough transition, struggling with setting healthy boundaries, feeling overwhelmed and burned out, having trouble in relationships, or want to chart a new course for yourself but don’t know where to start, I can help.

I am a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) trained in eye movement desensitization reprocessing (EMDR), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), among other evidence-based modalities. I received my Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of Alabama and a Master of Social Work degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

I’ve taught hatha, Yin, and restorative yoga for three years and have practiced yoga for nearly 25 years. I have studied with and learned from Wesley Pilcher, Kayce Johnson, Rena Wren, Lisa Danylchuk, Hala Khouri, Ashley Turner, Jivana Heyman, Dianne Bondy and Amber Karnes. I am an RYT 500 yoga teacher with additional certification in Yin and trauma-informed yoga.

My approach to mental wellness is holistic. I start with two guiding principles: first, that the mind, body and spirit are inextricably linked; and second, that none of us is broken. Each of us is whole already, and we have within us everything we need to heal. My goal is to give you research-backed, consciousness-based, practical tools for living peacefully, deliberately, abundantly, and authentically.

INDIVIDUAL PSYCHOTHERAPY

Wellness isn’t just about living a healthier life – it’s also about living a life that is deeply satisfying, rich with meaning and purpose. Therapy can help you identify and establish positive goals, learn how to regulate your emotions, and make choices that support your health and quality of life. I can help.

HEALING FROM TRAUMA

When we experience an extraordinarily stressful event or situation that threatens life or safety or leaves us feeling overwhelmed and isolated, we may struggle to cope. The memory of this event or situation can stay with us, deep pain from the past that casts a dark shadow over the present. A traumatic event can be one that is directly life-threatening, but not always. The pain of isolation, abandonment, abuse or neglect, or a constant state of stress brought about by societal conditions can be traumatic as well. We cannot change the past, but we can heal from trauma – and therapy can be the catalyst for that healing.

NAVIGATING CHANGE

Many people seek out a therapist to help them navigate a major life change or disruption, such as the death of a loved one, divorce or separation, a major health diagnosis, caring for an aging parent, adjusting to life as an empty nester, or rediscovering a sense of purpose after retirement. We may just need a little temporary support, such as dealing with seasonal depression. Even a happy event like planning a wedding can knock us off our center – and working with a therapist can help us cope with the added stress, so we can be fully present to the joy of the occasion.

MANAGING THE STRESS OF MODERN LIFE

We are barraged every day with news, information, pinging phone notifications, managing hectic schedules. Sometimes we feel like we’re managing just fine, but other times we might feel like we’re on an endless treadmill that’s set too high. Many people think, “these aren’t ‘big’ enough issues for therapy.” But it’s as important to prioritize mental wellness as it is physical wellness – and that means recognizing that you deserve to live a full, happy life.

I can help you learn to prioritize your own peace so that you have the energy to take care of yourself, help others, and be your best self. In that sense, therapy is a gift you give not only to yourself but to those you love most.

LET’S WORK TOGETHER

I am now accepting clients for individual therapy at RiverStone Wellness Center in Little Rock, Arkansas, for both in-person and telehealth appointments.

I accept Blue Cross Blue Shield, Ambetter, Medicare, and Workers Compensation, and private pay/out of network clients.

RiverStone Wellness Center, 5905 Forest Place #230, Little Rock 72207. Call 501-777-3200 or email info@riverstonewellnesscenter.com.

I am no longer accepting new clients at Copper Well Retreat.

Contact me for more information – and I’ll post updates here as they become available.

GROUPS AND WORKSHOPS

MINDFULNESS SERIES @ RIVERSTONE WELLNESS CENTER

Each hour-long mini-workshop is designed to be an introduction to mindfulness concepts and practices. Learn more about the many amazing benefits of mindfulness practice! Free to RiverStone clients. In-person and Zoom. Call 501-777-3200 for more information.

Practice with me IN THE STUDIO:

First Friday of every month, 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. Yin Yoga @ Arkansas Yoga Collective. This is a donation-based class. Pay what you can and practice with us! Sign up on MINDBODY or pay at the door using cash, Venmo or CashApp.

Tuesday evenings, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. Restorative Yoga @ RiverStone Wellness Center. Free to clients of RiverStone. Call (501) 777-3200 for more information.

Practice with me ONLINE:

Kerri Michael Yoga on YouTube – yoga, meditation and mindfulness practices you can access anytime. Please subscribe!

I teach a short (10-15 minutes) weekly yoga and mindfulness practice each week. New videos posted every Tuesday. Check it out at https://sweapconnections.com/connect-to-calm/.

Upcoming WORKSHOPS and COMMUNITY CLASSES:

I’ll be speaking about trauma-informed yoga in the addiction recovery space and teaching a chair yoga class at the Arkansas Problem Gambling Council (ARPG) Annual Conference in Hot Springs on April 27, 2023. Come see me!