Community Highlights: Meet Michaela Decker of Vesta Counseling

Today we’d like to introduce you to Michaela Decker.

Hi Michaela, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
I have a distinct memory of being 4 years old and driving past mansions that I thought were castles along Lake Michigan. My dad said that a dentist owned my favorite one, so I proclaimed that I would be a “dentist and ballerina” when I grew up. My overachieving level of clumsiness did not lead this to be a reality and my future career would prove to be very different.

Growing up, instability was normal for me. By the time I graduated high school, I had lived in 6 states and had attended countless schools. As soon as I felt like I found my place, I would be uprooted and have to start over. I struggled with finding my identity and where I felt like I fit in. I felt a profound sense of loneliness and was continually searching for this sense of belonging.

Looking back now, I know I was struggling with anxiety and the lack of relationships that felt truly secure. When I was able to feel emotional safety with others whom I felt seen and accepted, my anxiety would alleviate. I found these people and felt like I was able to come into my own. I soon became acutely aware of the power of relationships, which drove me to seek a career that focused on the power of connection.

Currently, I own a therapy private practice where I utilize an attachment-focused lens to help clients heal from past trauma and work through relational stressors. The process starts with a strong emphasis on the therapist-client rapport to build a foundation of trust and understanding. I am not a “problem of the week” therapist, but instead, enjoy doing the deeper work and healing. We explore what messages they received about themselves, often from their interpersonal relationships, and how this has shaped their worldview.

I encourage clients to express these thoughts, feelings and needs to important people in their lives. I teach clients how to take control of their negative thoughts to have the best relationship with themselves.

Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I started my career by working for over a decade in community mental health agencies that typically carry very high caseloads and include frequent high-stress situations.

This probably wasn’t the smoothest road I could have chosen, but certainly one of the most rewarding. Through this time, I again found the power of relationships to get through any bumpy days. My therapist co-workers became friends and allowed me to use my favorite coping skill, humor, on a daily basis.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who offers individual and family therapy to ages 12 and up. I specialize in processing trauma, relationship stressors, and anxiety. I am consistently honored to be a part of my client’s healing journeys.

Pricing:

• $160/session

Contact Info:

• Website: www.vestacounseling.com
• Instagram: @vestacounseling