Michelle Sinkgraven, LICSW
Licensed in DC, MD, VA
My Goal
​I aim to create an anti-oppressive, trauma-informed space for healing where you learn to feel deserving of taking up space and are allowed to grieve who or what you've lost in your life. Whether that is a loved one, an identity, a sense of value, worth or safety. At some point in your life you may have been told or shown that you are not deserving of embracing who you are, this is old learning. Together we will work to integrate new learning that helps you update what you believe about yourself so you can feel worthy, safe and loved. My goal is to provide collaborative support and a space to foster self compassion and self acceptance. ​​Together we will learn to be curious about your emotions, even the uncomfortable ones; get to know your inner child; seek to understand how your attachment style impacts your relationships; and make space for any grief you may be holding. I am passionate about providing quality and impactful healing that ripples out into your relationship with yourself, others and throughout your community.
My Theraputic Approach
I believe we are all doing our best based on what we’ve been through and come to believe about ourselves. Our wisest parts find ways to protect us but at some point this way of showing up no longer serves us and can get in the way of how we want to live. As much as we may try, we cannot think our way out of old patterns. Trauma therapy helps us understand where these patterns are coming from and heal from the stories we’ve created - or been told to believe - about ourselves.
I specialize in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing). This method of therapy can be used alone, or in collaboration with other therapeutic techniques to resolve past trauma and heal old emotional wounds. I weave in IFS (Internal Family Systems) often referred to as “parts” work and help align your mind and body through using a somatic lens.
