Passionate About Helping Clients Thrive & Live Happier ‒ Exclusive Interview With Michelle Terry

Michelle Terry is a Clinical Psychotherapist working out of a private practice in NYC. She is passionate about helping her clients thrive and live happier by positively addressing challenges and stresses that result from everyday obstacles, complex social and romantic relationships, school/work life imbalances and major life transitions. As a Solutions-Focused therapist, Michelle believes in establishing healthy and clear objectives, while working closely with her clients to develop a concrete plan to reach their goals. She is extremely dedicated to each and every one of her clients and derives such joy seeing them live their lives in a way that promotes the most social, emotional and physical happiness!

Michelle Terry, Clinical Psychotherapist

Introduce yourself, tell us about your life, hobbies, passions anything that makes you unique:

My name is Michelle Terry and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker/Psychotherapist. In addition to serving clients in my own private practice, I teach, train and supervise clinicians and social work graduate students. I love the balance of both treating and teaching. Training the next generation of clinicians is extremely rewarding.

In my private practice, MT Psychotherapy (mtpsychotherapy.com), I enjoy helping individuals thrive and live happier by positively addressing challenges and stresses that result from everyday obstacles, complex social and romantic relationships, school/work life imbalances and major life transitions (e.g., starting a new job, going to college, etc). My clients generally struggle with the effects of anxiety, stress, depressed mood or low self-esteem.

I work hard to promote a safe and supportive environment that enables my clients to express and process their emotions/concerns while learning healthy coping mechanisms. As a Solutions Focused therapist, I believe in establishing healthy and clear objectives while working closely with my clients to develop a concrete plan to reach their goals. The goal is that my clients come away from their interactions with a new sense of confidence to achieve their goals, overcome relevant obstacles/issues and make smart decisions, setting them out on a path to happiness and success.

Away from work, I love spending time with my husband and two teenage children. I am an avid runner, enjoy my friends/family and love to travel. My style is down to earth, warm and engaging. Being a therapist is my true passion and dream and there is nothing more rewarding than seeing my clients live their best lives!

What type of audience do you target your business towards:

My practice focuses in three areas:

Middle and High School Students

The teenage years are characterized by enormous change and personal growth. While this time period can be exciting and enriching, it can also be volatile and confusing. As individuals evolve and adapt to the challenges associated with increased work loads, complex social dynamics, newfound independence, and concerns about the future, they often endure heightened stress, increased anxiety, and shifting moods.

In this context, therapists can equip teens with positive adaptive coping mechanisms and empower them to improve their overall mood and happiness. Moreover, therapy provides a safe and supportive space where one can share their emotions and concerns, learn healthy coping mechanisms and strategies, and build confidence. My practice focuses on empowering teens to live their fullest, healthiest, happiest life.

Young Adults

Young adulthood is an exciting time and it can also be quite daunting. Finishing college, entering the "real world", developing one's identity and handling more complex relationships are just a few challenges young adults face. They confront a search for meaning and direction, yearn to establish deep social and romantic connections and are simultaneously optimistic and anxious about career progress. This life phase is marked by desire to improve quality of life and establish a strong foundation for the years ahead.

In addition to addressing mood and behavioral challenges, my young adult practice focuses on helping twenty-one to thirty year olds hone in on what is most important to help them live the most satisfying, fulfilling and rewarding life.

Adults

In my adult practice, I specialize in helping my clients thrive and be happier by positively addressing challenges and stresses that result form everyday obstacles, complex social and romantic relationships, anxious thinking, work/life imbalances, marital issues, major life transitions and more. As a solutions-focused therapist, I believe in establishing healthy and clear objectives and work closely with my clients to develop a concrete plan to achieve their goals.

My approach will enable you to come away from your interactions with a new sense of confidence and empowerment to address issues and make smart decisions, putting folks on a path to happiness and success!

Message to clients:

Having someone on your side to positively support, guide, and empower you is invaluable. Therapy is the best gift you can give yourself. It's a space each week to refuel and recharge and embrace the week ahead feeling excited, empowered and ready to nurture positive life change. Together we will help to figure out where you are getting stuck and work to find the path ahead that feels organic, authentic and personal to you. You are not alone, together, we will work to shift your mindset, take control of your narrative and set you up for success!

Pivotal moment in life that brought me here today or current goals for my business:

Several months after I launched my private practice, one of my clients sent me a note saying, “I can’t thank you enough, you have truly changed my life”. While I had faith in my training and experience, these words helped to confirm that my approach was working and were a reminder of the profound impact I could have on my client’s well being. They were a boost to my professional confidence and energized me to work harder and extend the reach of my practice so I could positively impact as many lives as possible.

What is my work inspired by?

My practice is truly inspired by my clients. Seeing them achieve their goals and put what they are learning in the therapeutic space to work is the best feeling in the world. Psychotherapy is my sincere passion. Watching my professional dream become a reality and seeing how this work positively impacts the lives of so many inspires me every day to work harder, stay up to date on new and relevant practice and do the best job possible for my clients.

Greatest career achievement

My greatest career achievement thus far was going out on my own and launching MT Psychotherapy in January of 2020. In almost three short years I have watched my practice grow almost to capacity, while navigating the challenges associated with the COVID pandemic. As I reflect on that growth, I take great satisfaction and pride knowing it’s a direct reflection of my investment in this work and commitment to my clients.

What would I like to achieve for myself and my business in the future?

Going forward I hope to continue to grow my practice and find ways to positively impact the lives of those who are in need of therapy. In addition to treating and teaching, I’d like to find new and creative ways to get my voice out there, including potentially launching a podcast and speaking at industry events.

Visit my website for more info!

Read more from Michelle!