On this episode of Talk Bravely, we talk anxiety therapy, the cost of mental health support, being anxious during COVID-19, the Kardashians, and how to build a health practice with anxiety therapist Michelle Massi.  

Michelle is a licensed Marriage & Family therapist and has nearly two decades of experience working with youth, families and adults.  She specializes in Obsessive Compulsive Disorders, Obsessive Compulsive spectrum disorders, and anxiety disorders.  Until recently, she was the Associate Clinical Director at the UCLA OCD Intensive Treatment Program and has her own successful private practice with 4 therapists and a behavior coach.

Michelle has recently returned to work after taking maternity leave with her first child.  At work, she and her associates specialize in cognitive behavioral therapy to support a variety of anxiety disorders.  I’ll also note that she’s a highly sought after trainer and public speaker as well as passionate volunteer for the Concern Cancer Foundation and Chi Omega.  

 

What we’re talking about:

• Coronavirus and anxiety trends in women.  “We’re experiencing a whole different level of anxiety.  We’re living in a world that is topsy-turvy right now…”
• When to seek out a therapist for yourself or your child: “Any time the coping skills you already have, that you are trying to use aren’t working for you - that’s when it’s a good time to seek out therapy.”
• “Therapy is an extra helper.  It’s like getting a tutor when your child needs extra help at school.  It’s not a negative.”
• What therapists are concerned about now: “When we return to what normal will look like, how we’ll get kids re-integrated back into school is a big conversation.” 
• Michelle’s career path, how an experience with her freshman college chemistry professor changed her trajectory, and how she decided to not be a sex therapist.  “I failed first year chemistry in college.  I went to see my professor… he basically said if you don’t get an A in my class you’re not going to go to medical school. I was 17 at the time and walked out and burst into tears.  That was my dream.”  I’m personally so glad Michelle shared this story of frustration - and I shared my own in response.  Weed-out courses, cut throat academic cultures, and professors acting like gatekeepers particularly impact women in a negative way and we need to share these stories bravely so future students will know how to respond. 
• The importance of a mentor on Michelle’s career and how she built her business to such success that Kim Kardashian had her on as a guest on Keeping Up With The Kardashians.
• How to find a therapist wherever you live. 
• How much should I expect to pay a therapist?  Insurance/co-pay versus Out of pocket.  And how long should I expect to be in therapy.  “When it comes to anxiety disorders, CBT is supposed to be a very short term therapy… it really depends on if you’re going to do the homework between sessions.  I always tell clients at about 3 months, you should see some progress in your treatment if you are doing anxiety therapy with a CBT therapist.  If you’re not, then maybe you’re not working with the right therapist or maybe you’re not putting in enough effort.  But you really should see a significant amount of change.”  

 

Connect with Michelle:

Michelle’s Anxiety Practice:  www.anxietytherapyla.com 

Instagram:  @anxietytherapyla

 

Anxiety Links and Tips:

• Check your insurance coverage for therapy sessions first and understand your budget for getting support.  Most therapists will list their price range.
• Psychology Today
• Therapy Den
• ADAA - Anxiety Depression Association of America
• IOCDF - International OCD Foundation
• NEDA - National Eating Disorders Association