Michelle Chavez
LCSW Professional credential Licensed Clinical Social Worker A clinical social work license generally associated with advanced supervised experience and psychotherapy practice. Learn more about LCSW she/herLicensed Clinical Social Worker
Practice Owner
Michelle Chavez is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and the founder of Prickly Pear Therapy. She provides warm, collaborative care for children, teens, adults, and families, with an emphasis on recognizing each client’s strengths and creating practical paths toward healing and growth.
Existing-client access only. New-client requests are not available for this clinician.
About
Michelle Chavez is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and the founder of Prickly Pear Therapy. She began her social work education at New Mexico Highlands University, earning her bachelor’s degree in 2013, and later earned her Master of Social Work from the University of Southern California in 2016. While at USC, Michelle helped pilot its telehealth program, giving her early experience providing both virtual and in-person care.
Michelle has worked in social services and behavioral health in New Mexico for more than a decade. She is especially passionate about supporting children, teens, adults, and families through a warm, flexible, and collaborative approach. Michelle believes clients and families are the experts in their own lives and works with them to identify strengths, build useful skills, and create meaningful change.
Her work draws from strengths-based, psychosocial, systems, family-systems, task-centered, and cognitive behavioral approaches. She also incorporates crisis intervention and both directive and nondirective play therapy techniques when appropriate.
Michelle values getting to know each client as an individual and creating a space that feels welcoming and free of judgment. Outside of work, she enjoys hiking, camping, and experiencing the food and culture of New Mexico.
Clinical Details
- Practicing since
- 2016
- Professional license
- LCSW · New Mexico
- Insurance accepted
- Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicaid Molina Healthcare Presbyterian TRICARE United Healthcare
- Professional status
- Independently licensed
- Office location
- Rio Rancho Office
- Therapy formats
- Couples Therapy Family Therapy Group Therapy Individual Therapy Play Therapy
- Works with
- Adults Children Couples Families First Responders Individual Therapy
- Approaches
-
ACT Art-Based Interventions CBT DBT EFT Expressive Arts Techniques
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Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Family Systems Therapy Interpersonal & Communication Skills Matrix Model Mindfulness Motivational Interviewing Narrative Therapy Person-Centered Therapy Play Therapy Play Therapy Techniques Psychodynamic Relapse Prevention Sand Tray Therapy Seeking Safety Solution-Focused Therapy Somatic Therapy Trauma-Informed Care Trauma-Informed Therapy Zones of Regulation - Languages
- English
- Clinician gender
- Female
Education & Training
- Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work, New Mexico Highlands University, 2013
- Master of Social Work Academic degree Master of Social Work A graduate academic degree in social work. MSW identifies education, not by itself a state license. Learn more about Master of Social Work , University of Southern California, 2016
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