About — mojo.

Michelle John, PhD, LPC-S

Dr. John has over 25 years experience as a psychotherapist specializing in individual and couples therapy using Integral Somatic Psychology, Somatic Experiencing, psychodynamically-oriented and creative modalities.

With a background in the arts, Michelle got a BFA in visual communications (graphic design) and started work in print production and freelancing. However, it was not until she heard about Art Therapy that she realized her sense of purpose. After completing her MA in Art Therapy from Southwestern College in Santa Fe, she realized that needed to feed her passion and was accepted to Pacifica Graduate Institute to pursue a PhD in clinical psychology. Here, she focused on a depth psychological approach to working with clients using mythology and culture, symbol and metaphor and the arts.

I find that clients that engage in the arts whether through movement or 2D/3D art processes and somatic processes are more likely to experience significant shifts and successes in therapy.

Dr. John’s professional background includes multiple clinical and community settings such as community outpatient services, adult, child and adolescent intensive outpatient & inpatient treatment hospitalization, a domestic violence shelter, court-ordered mediation, adoption families therapy, prevention education, supervision and, of course, private practice. Dr. John maintains a private practice in Austin, Texas.

In addition to providing individual and relationship therapy, Dr. John has presented trainings and educational workshops on psychotherapeutic topics such as creativity & depression, vocational motivation, psychoeducational prevention, substance abuse, and the trauma response. She has served as Chair of the Alaska Psychiatric Institute Governing Board, Clinical Supervisor for Southcentral Foundation’s Native Alaskan Outpatient Primary Care Center, and Executive Director of 4Rivers Counseling Services serving Native Alaskan communities.

Dr. John is an interactive, solution-focused therapist. Her therapeutic approach is to provide support and practical feedback to help clients effectively address personal life challenges. She integrates complementary methodologies and techniques to offer a highly personalized approach tailored to each client. With compassion and understanding, she works with each individual to help them build on their strengths and attain the personal growth they are committed to accomplishing.

Transmutation Circles

A transmutation circle is an alchemical symbol. Alchemy has long been associated symbolically and metaphorically with psychological processes of transformation.

Education

PhD in Clinical Psychology-Pacifica Graduate Institute in Santa Barbara, CA [2007]
MA in Art Therapy/Counseling-Southwestern College in Santa Fe, NM [1997]
BFA in Visual Communications-University of Mississippi in Oxford, MS [1991]

Licensed Professional Counselor

Texas [LPC-TX #66564] current
Alaska [LPC-AK#393] previously held

Additional Training

Integral Somatic Psychology Practitioner
Somatic Experiencing Practitioner
Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM),
Chemical Dependency (Chemical Dependency Certification + prevention education to rural Alaskan communities)
Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR), and Grant Writing.

Professional Activities and Memberships

Dr. John is currently assisting for Somatic Experiencing Trainings.
Austin Jungian Society-past Board Member, Secretary

APA (Amercian Psychological Association)
AATA (American Art Therapy Association)
STATA (Southeast Texas Art Therapy Association)