About Me
My name is Dr. Michelle Medeiros.
Welcome to my private practice.
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I was born and raised in Silicon Valley and continue to live in the area. I am the youngest of five children of parents who immigrated to America and worked in the tech industry.
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Some of the values that were instilled in me and other values that I have obtained throughout my life are understanding, kindness, compassion, sincerity, gratitude, trust, respect, dependability, dedication, strength, resiliency and hard work.
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I embrace those values in every aspect of my work to earn your trust by being understanding and compassionate, treating you with kindness and respect, showing gratitude for the opportunity to hear your story and being a part of your journey. l believe everyone has their own story to tell and unique path to take.
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If you choose me as your therapist, I will be committed to the goals that you want to accomplish and will work hard towards helping you build on your strengths and resiliency. I truly enjoy helping people to continue to grow and advance in life, while embracing the unique qualities that make them who they are.
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Approach
I provide a warm, collaborative, and non-judgmental environment that allows my clients the opportunity to express themselves and feel understood. I generally use a cognitive behavioral therapy approach while incorporating other evidenced-based treatments. Cognitive behavioral therapy is aimed at exploring thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. We identify how automatic thoughts impact emotions and influence actions. We will approach treatment from different directions by challenging unhelpful thoughts, learning new skills to manage difficult feelings, and practicing different coping, behavioral, and interpersonal strategies to promote more desirable outcomes and long term change. Depending on your needs and preferences, I also use other treatment approaches such as, but not limited to, acceptance and commitment therapy, person-centered, attachment, strength, solution or emotion focused, cognitive processing therapy, prolonged exposure, other exposure based, dialectical behavioral therapy, skills training in affective and interpersonal training, social skills training, motivational interviewing, relapse prevention, mindfulness-based practices and psychoeducation.
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Again, I commend you on your courage, strength, and willingness to explore these experiences and find answers.
I am committed to working in a collaborative approach, carefully listening, helping you find the answers and solutions you have been looking for and starting this journey with you.
Professional Experience
I am a licensed clinical psychologist with credentials in California, New York, Florida, Hawaii, Arizona, and Virginia. My journey in clinical psychology led me to complete my doctoral degree at Palo Alto University, where I also acquired certification in Neuropsychological Assessment. I underwent a comprehensive Clinical Internship at the Central Texas Veteran Health Care System. This internship provided me with valuable training in anxiety disorders, trauma, integrated assessment and program development and evaluation. My Postdoctoral Polytrauma Fellowship was at James A. Haley Veterans Hospital, while working with Special Forces.
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I served as the Licensed Attending Physician/Medical Director, Clinical and Research Coordinator and Psychologist, overseeing operations at HVRP within the VA Palo Alto Health Care System. My responsibilities included the direction of a 70-bed inpatient unit and the supervision of a diverse team, which included medical, clinical, and support staff (estimated 200). In my leadership capacity, I actively engaged in program development, evaluation, and research, while presenting my findings to VA hospital directors and central office.
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Throughout my career, I have gained invaluable leadership, clinical, and research experience across various VA healthcare systems, Stanford University School of Medicine, the National Center for PTSD, and both community-based and private practice settings.
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I received training in integrated assessment (psychological, personality, cognitive, development, academic, etc.) and evidenced-based treatments, but not limited to (cognitive-behavioral, acceptance and commitment, person-centered, attachment, solution or emotion focused, interpersonal, motivational interviewing, relapse prevention, mindfulness, psychodynamic, etc).
In my therapy clinic, I work with high-achieving individuals, who grapple with challenges related to work-life balance, corporate transitions, career changes, anxiety, stress, relationship dynamics, dating, parenting children with unique needs, lack of community, depression, grief, trauma, substance use, adjustment to injury, cognitive difficulties, and career and leadership development.
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In my assessment clinic, I offer comprehensive integrated assessment for autism spectrum disorder, psychological diagnoses, short-term disability and cognitive difficulties.
Additionally, I actively engage in training and consultation services for individuals, groups, and organizations. I take pride in providing supervision and consultation to trainees, paraprofessionals, clinical practitioners, and medical providers, contributing to the growth and development of professionals in the field.
Other Professional Training
Postdoctoral Fellowship, James A. Haley Veterans Hospital
Clinical Psychology Internship, Central Texas Veteran Health Care System
Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, Pacific Graduate School of Psychology at Palo Alto University
Bacholar's of Arts, Psychology, University of California, Santa Cruz