Michelle Montgomery (She/Her)

My Background

With 15+ years of high-acuity experience—from the Emanuel Level 1 Trauma ER to serving as Lead Mental Health Consultant at the Multnomah County Detention Center—I know the realities of high-stress environments. I partner with first responders, corrections staff, and trauma nurses who want a therapist who actually speaks their language. My practice focus includes: Trauma & Critical Incidents: Processing operational exposure using EMDR tailored for responder culture and ASAP stabilization. Hypervigilance: Tactical tools to downshift your nervous system and leave the job at the door. Moral Injury: Navigating the psychological wear-and-tear of demanding institutional systems. CSWA Supervision: I provide advanced clinical mentorship for pre-licensed clinicians. I’ll teach you high-stakes crisis assessment, rapid diagnostic accuracy, and how to mitigate secondary trauma for long-term career resilience.

My Values as a Therapist

My approach has always been rooted in a fundamental truth: discomfort is often the gateway to meaningful change. I believe in leaning into that discomfort to understand its source, identifying what needs to shift, and building a practical path forward. My work is guided by three core commitments: Real-World Relativity: I know firsthand what it means to miss holidays, work through snow days, and face mandatory overtime despite having personal plans. You don't have to explain the operational toll of the job here. Direct, Functional Support: I provide a secure, confidential space where you can drop the armor. We won’t speak in abstract clinical jargon; we focus on what works in the field and at home. Rigorous Mentorship: For CSWAs, my value is in providing high-stakes, transparent supervision that prepares you for high-velocity environments while protecting your long-term longevity.