About Michaela Kate

Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) (Massachusetts)

Certified HeartMath Practitioner; HeartMath Institute, HeartMath Inc.

Adjunct Professor; Graduate Clinical Counseling 

Life Coach; Transformation Academy, accredited by CPD Standards 

Certified Integrated Mental Health Professional (CIMHP) (Evergreen Certifications)

Certified Grief Support Professional (CGP) (Evergreen Certifications)

Reiki Master Teacher (RMT) (Usui Shiki Ryoho, Karuna II Holy Fire)

Flower Essences Practitioner (Delta Gardens, NH)

Nutritional Certification (Level 5 - Health Science Academy)

Master's of Arts, Clinical Psychology (University of Massachusetts Dartmouth)

Bachelor's of Arts, Psychology (Rhode Island College)

Bachelor's of Science, Chemical Dependency and Additional Studies (Rhode Island College)

Michaela and her twin sister Mallary have been involved in human services for over 20 years engaging in community service, mentoring, volunteerism, and working as mental health counselors for non-profit organizations and inner city clinics. Their undergraduate education at Rhode Island College offered experiences to pursue their passion for community involvement with elected positions for both the RIC’s Psychological Society and the local chapter of Psi Chi, the National Honor Society in Psychology.  Here, they lead several projects servicing communities in the state of Rhode Island and helped other students by offering guidance and support through their academic journeys. They earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Dependency and Addiction Studies. During this time they engaged in research investigating attitudes towards domestic violence, as well as driving safety among new drivers. To highlight their dedication to learning in psychology and counseling, they were the co-recipients of the 28th Annual Victoria Lederberg Psychology Department Award at Rhode Island College in 2008. In recognition of their overall service, leadership and academic excellence, both Michaela and Mallary were named to the national honors program Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges and received the distinguished Rhode Island College’s Award for Outstanding Achievement which acknowledged two women of the 2008 graduating class for demonstrating leadership and academic excellence. Michaela and Mallary were also members of the Rhode Island College Women’s Soccer Team and were recognized by the State of Rhode Island Speaker of the House, Mr. Michael J. Murphy, for their academic and athletic accomplishments receiving the Legislative-Scholar Athlete Award and were featured Rhode Island College’s newspaper, The Anchor. During their education at Rhode Island College, both Michaela and Mallary worked for Northern Rhode Island Mental Health Services as Youth Mentors and as Intensive Behavior Therapists at Bradley Hospital in Rhode Island working with children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. 

In 2008 Michaela was accepted to the Clinical Psychology program at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, earning graduate assistant positions assisting students with disabilities and with the department of student conduct and dispute resolution. During this time she researched and helped design faculty and student resource guidelines and ran student support groups. She volunteered her time to the campus’ Wellness Center as well as the University’s Drug and Alcohol Committee. Here she researched and developed a program manual researching evidence-based practices to help educate students on the misperceptions of drinking among peers and to reduce the negative consequences of alcohol consumption. She dedicated her clinical practicum and internship hours servicing her hometown's community mental health center, NRI Community Services (now Community Care Alliance) which focused on diverse communities, including underserved and at-risk individuals including those facing economic hardship, housing instability, and addiction. In 2010, Michaela was recognized in an Alumni Feature by The College Crusade of Rhode Island (now Onward We Learn), a non-profit organization supporting RI’s low-income urban youth, which highlighted academic involvement and community service as well as her continued work as a senior behavioral therapist at Bradley Hospital in East Providence, RI.  She was identified by the UMass Dartmouth office of public affairs as a graduate spotlight and was honored at the 2011 graduate ceremony delivering the graduate student commencement speech. After graduation she was eager to pursue her passions in counseling and neuroscience. As a former Co-Editor in Chief of her high school newspaper and all-state athlete, Michaela was also excited to use her passion in writing and competitive soccer. 

From 2011-2014 Michaela worked in inner city clinics and volunteered her time working with victims of abuse in need of advocacy and support. Most notably, she collaborated with initiatives by the Department of Human Services advocating for improved neighborhood safety among the elderly population. In 2013, Michaela suffered a major concussion while playing competitive soccer. Struggling with acute symptoms she sought alternative healing methods, remembering that as a child she was treated successfully by a hypnotist for a medical condition when years of conventional treatment proved unsuccessful. Through a very difficult and trying healing journey she came to discover her own abilities as an intuitive healer and a renewed passion for helping others. Impressed by holistic approaches to mental health, Michaela opened a private practice in 2014 offering holistic counseling, energy healing, and nutritional coaching. In 2015, she and her sister joined a team of wellness practitioners in Middleboro, MA. She was featured alongside her peers and the center’s owner Kellie Surdis in the Middleboro Gazette of SouthCoast Today introducing her holistic approach to counseling. 

In 2017, Michaela and her sister expanded their practice focusing on counseling and holistic wellness. They extended their offerings to include workshops, training and other networking opportunities to local holistic practitioners. Their mission was to support and assist others with developing skills and accessing education and resources. In December 2017 they were featured in the Boston Voyager, a Boston based magazine showcasing inspiring local stories, highlighting entrepreneurs, artists, and creatives shaping local culture and community. In 2020, they expanded their vision and opened a new office which would house counselors and healing practitioners with a shared mission to assist the community. Just six days after opening their doors, the pandemic shifted the community and their focus. They offered virtual services and continued their work as adjunct professors teaching in the graduate counseling program at BayPath University. In the fall of 2020, Michaela was asked to develop the program's Trauma & Crisis Intervention course where she integrated mind-body perspectives and interventions. She also earned a certification as an Integrative Mental Health Professional and continued to develop her integrative approach.  

Making the decision to close their office in the fall of 2021 was a difficult but necessary conclusion. For many, including Michaela, the pandemic offered an opportunity for new awareness, insight, and truth. This catalyzed more important shifts!

With wisdom in hand, Michaela recognized that grief often accompanied our greatest shifts. She sought additional certification with the intention to assist those who were experiencing and processing their own shifts and grief. In 2023, Michaela was invited to teach in the CMHC program at Merrimack College and was excited to engage in projects with local practitioners that would serve the community. However, in fall 2023, Michaela pivoted her attention to her health when acute symptoms related to mold exposure took precedence. The delay initiated huge shifts which proved to be an incredibly important pivot along her path. In 2024, she started coaching clients with an even deeper appreciation and humbled gratitude for all the shifts and opportunities along her path to healing and self-discovery. She greets 2025 with an even stronger belief in the human capacity to heal and transcend challenges, both individually and collectively. Her coaching style favors strength-based approaches and integrates multiple perspectives. She recognizes the importance of the mind-body-spirit connection, insight development, and self-awareness. She believes these are foundational elements for fostering change, healing, and connection with our innate inner guidance. Her intention is to provide a supportive container for others to awaken, shift, and evolve.   

*Click below to read the Boston Voyager Feature (December 2017)*