Founder, Therapist, Educational Advocate

Michelle Magida earned her doctorate in Counseling Education & Supervision at Adler University. She earned her Master's degree in Clinical Psychology, with a concentration in children & adolescents, from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology in 2013. Michelle utilizes over 15 years of experience in helping children, adolescents, young adults, families, parents and schools achieve social, emotional, behavioral and academic success. 

Michelle has a passion for helping children enjoy being kids and parents enjoy their children by connecting children with parents and home with school.

Michelle has presented at several public and private events on such topics as understanding executive functioning, how to avoid the dreaded power struggle and has created a parenting course titled Connection Before Correction.

Michelle’s counseling focuses on repairing attachment and healing from trauma. Michelle's background in special education and expertise in executive functioning, helps in treating individuals with anxiety, depression, emotional regulation difficulties and/or attention/focus issues. In addition, Michelle enjoys partnering with parents as they develop new tools to diminish power struggles and establish healthy boundaries within the family system. Michelle believes in the power of building on existing strengths, which can lead to lasting positive change.

Before founding Therapy Etc, Michelle was a special education teacher in the therapeutic day school setting and the Behavior Intervention Specialist for District 60 in Waukegan, Illinois providing training and support to district social workers, psychologists and administration with the hopes of supporting students in the least restrictive environment.

Specialties:

• Child / Adolescent
• Trauma
• Mood & Anxiety
• ADHD
• Family / Parenting
• Anger / Emotional Control