About
Michelle Smeller, M.S., LMFT michelle@thejoyfullifecounseling.com
Daughter | Sister | Wife | Mother | Chef | Crafter | Gardener | Animal Lover | Christian | Counselor
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Like you, I juggle many different roles. Some are just part of existence (daughter, sister); others have been carefully chosen to choreograph my values and beliefs (wife, mother, counselor, etc.). Counseling is my second career. It may surprise some to discover that my first career was in the professional services arena, managing Information Technology (IT) projects, performing IT security audits and running an IT department for a large local non-profit. Although many might have considered me very successful in that career, I found myself unbearably unhappy. In an attempt to find out what was so wrong with me that I couldn't be happy in my successes, a wise, now-retired, psychotherapist helped me find my way out of the darkness and begin to recognize the many opportunities that had always been there but had eluded me in the dark.
Thanks to him and the loving support of my husband and child, I decided to make significant changes and returned to college to complete a master's degree in marriage and family therapy. It took a long time. I had to work full time while attending classes, completing practicum and attending every training opportunity that I could. I learned so much. Mostly I learned humility. In this career, I do not have all of the answers. It's not just a matter of rebooting the computer this time. I am constantly learning from everyone around me, including my clients.
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I can't promise that I will have the solution to what is distressing you. I can, however, commit to being present with you as you begin this journey to self-discovery or healing or both. Michelle
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Trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) by EMDRIA-Approved EMDR Training provider
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Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy from Texas Wesleyan University, Fort Worth, Texas

Michelle is a licensed marriage and family therapist. She earned her master's degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Texas Wesleyan University.
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As a master's student at Texas Wesleyan University, Michelle had the privilege of participating in the Master Therapist Series, which brings eight internationally known master therapists to Texas Wesleyan University to lecture on their expertise. Michelle extended her training in marriage therapy by completing the Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT) Externship. Serving as a Rape Crisis Advocate in Fort Worth, Texas for several years ignited Michelle's interest in working with survivors of trauma. During her practicum, she completed training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). Michelle later became certified as a Clinical Anxiety Professional and as a Clinical Telemental Health Professional. She has served as an emerging leader on the board of the Texas Counseling Association, Marriage and Family Therapy Division. Michelle has also served on the board of Cancer Care Services.