• "This feedback is long overdue but I've been making great strides in my journey and I have to send a big thanks to you. I don't know where I would be, had you not provided me with the safe space and affirming words regarding certain things I was experiencing. The sessions were truly a catapult for many aspects of my personal growth during the past few months. Most of all you provided me with "you." You are quite special and have been a benchmark as to how I am able to view and connect with others. In a general sense, my favorite part of this session was that I was able to explore some things I'd longed to experience but at the same time was a little nervous about. You helped me peel a few more layers from my shell."

    In-Person Client

  • "I really appreciate your willingness to work with me virtually. I know it’s not ideal bc of the work you do, but even over Zoom it means a great deal to me to share space and work through these challenges together. Digital video and sound may not be the same as in-person sessions, but your warmth and openness still preside because that’s who you are. You graciously make room for questions, curiosities, insights, and emotionality. I feel like I could go in any direction in a session, and you would be there to safely see, hear, and accept me. I also love that you are ok expressing emotions along side me so I don’t feel like an island. The comfort and care you offer is unlike anything I’ve experienced in therapy or life, and for that I’m incredibly grateful. Finally, I truly admire your amazing authenticity, and I find myself wanting to live with the same genuine honesty, confidence, and enthusiasm that you bring to the world. To sum it up: I kinda want to be you when I grow up!" .......    Follow Up after In-Person Session     ......  "I sincerely loved everything about my visit with you, and I am so incredibly grateful for your time and generous presence.  I don't think I've ever felt so safe and comfortable in an intimate space, and that's certainly a product of how you put me and kept me at ease.  While I was anxious before I arrived (and even the first couple minutes on the couch), I was surprised at how fast/easy it was to settle into a cuddle with you.  As I said at the time, I had never cuddled platonically, but in a matter of minutes, it felt totally normal and easy to have your arms, body, legs, and feet entwined with me.  I really liked getting to chat and connect as we figured out what types of touch could be added.  Everything we tried was positive for me--nothing felt forced or awkward, just natural and comfortable.  While I know you are a professional doing a job, I also felt that you wanted to be there with me; it didn't ever seem like you were accomplishing tasks or checking off a list with me.  That meant a great deal to me because being present and authentic are essential qualities for me in an intimate (even platonic) space.  This might sound strange, but I am a little proud of myself for pushing through the fear and trauma of the scars on my body in order to find positive feelings and sensations around those same places.  I honestly never thought I would be ok with anyone seeing my stomach or touching me there, and I will remember those moments with you for the rest of my life. Through that experience and the face touching, I know I have some techniques to try with my wife, perhaps as soon as this weekend, and I am more confident and open and enthusiastic about wading into this space than I have been for a long time.  And I have you to thank for all of that.  I still have challenges to overcome (asking for and accepting pleasure, finding renewed confidence in a sexual context despite my  dysfunction), but at the moment I feel really good. I do wish I could have another hug or cuddle or foot embrace with you ;-), but I don't feel a big dip emotionally so far.  Positivity, hopefulness, and gratitude are the emotions that seem to be most present right now, and I plan to keep those at the top of my mind for as long as possible.  Given my wife's enthusiastic blessing of my session with you, I am hoping to return to SD again in the next year.  I will certainly let you know if/when that happens.  In the meantime, I will stay in touch periodically if that's ok.    Thank you, again, for everything!"

    — Virtual Client turned In-Person Client

  • "It was a wonderful experience! I felt very safe and at home with Michelle. She exudes a warmth and kindness that I instantly felt comfortable with. Frankly, I was surprised at how beneficial and powerful her touch was for me. I still feel the resounding effect over a week later. I highly recommend her."

  • "You generously offer safe space to open up, feel my feelings and let go."

  • “I had a great time yesterday. Your company and cuddles were healing. I called my mom after our session and both relief cried and couldn’t stop smiling. I feel very good about the way things were facilitated. I felt safe. I felt like I could voice things that I needed to voice. There was also a handy structure and reassurance for me in the knowledge that you knew what you were doing and I didn’t have to flail my way through (anymore than the usual flailing that occurs for me that is 😛 ). I felt like there was space to be authentically me and focus on self regulation and becoming attuned to my body again because of the environment you brought. It’s really cool to be in a space that intimate where I can try to unmask as much as possible. Autopilot for me is a really big thing to tackle after being on it so much of my life within social situations. It felt pretty great, albeit also hard, to do some more work on that in a setting like this.”

  • “I enjoyed many aspects of my time with Michelle! What touched me most of all was her attitude and her approach. She was SO nonjudgmental and SO playful. I think a successful session has more to do with mindset than the activity itself. Michelle’s acceptance and easy manner made for an amazing head trip.”

  • “Michelle is an absolute delight. I had my first cuddling session ever with her and she took the time to ease my nerves, resolve my concerns and she really helped me to be comfortable with connecting with another person again. I appreciate her love of cuddling and her ability to just *listen*. I can’t wait for our next cuddle!”

  • “I know you said that you were going to contact me to check-in, but I just couldn’t wait to let you know how much good I think yesterday’s session did. I was all warm and fuzzy inside driving home afterwards, and I still feel kind of glowing. Today I feel more human – or at least less isolated from humanity in general than I did before. I may not be explaining this very well, but I hope (and suspect!) you know what I mean.”

  • “I have a resource that won’t judge me and I can find nurturing with.”

  • “I am feeling really good. I had a couple of situations that would have usually made me anxious, but I was surprisingly calm. Thank you for your help.”

  • “I’ve become someone who has better skills at asking for my wants, needs, recognizing where I stand with my body. Even better, that seeps into my work, family, and where I now know what I want and don’t like.”

  • “This is what it feels like to feel human again,” said with a sigh of relaxation.

    – during our 1st session

  • “I’m sending you a great big wave of gratitude. I feel so fortunate to have found you and to have benefited so much already. ***Thank you!***”

    – after our 2nd session

  • “The feeling of being in my body is so different after you’ve been here.”

    – after 3rd session

  • “I think the biggest benefit of cuddling for me is that it provides a foundation of comfort and safety… Using cuddling *in conjunction* with psychotherapy is incredibly powerful. I intend to continue with both because the benefits and momentum achieved from combining them is just incredible.”

    – many sessions later

  • “This is the first time I’ve felt human.”

  • “I honestly cannot put into words the feelings I have when you help me just be me.”