Angela Michener
Coordinator for Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) Support Services / Staff Counselor
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
What I do
I believe that given any moment, everyone is trying their best, given the tools they have. Sometimes our tools may be outdated and are not working anymore. Sometimes we received these tools from someone who was not able to understand or meet our needs. And sometimes, we may need just a few extra tools in our box to make life a little bit easier to navigate.
Metaphors aside, I know that when someone walks into my office, they have some incredible resiliency that has helped them navigate life’s complexity thus far. My hope is that together we can explore what’s working in your life and bolster those things, while also looking at making some changes to thoughts and behaviors that are no longer serving you. I believe change is not only possible, but that it can help us live more authentic and meaningful lives.
Personal Interests:
I love finding new hikes, grabbing coffee while reading a good book in the park, or having a few friends over for board games. I find being near open water and trees healing, as I grew up in a small town on the Great Lakes. I am always looking for an interesting long-form political podcast, or the newest YA fantasy book series. I am a transplant from Canada, and am enjoying exploring all that Colorado has to offer.
Professional Biography
I find myself driven to work with communities and individuals who have had the door shut on them. My work is informed by my core social justice beliefs. I work with clients to see what we can challenge and change on the individual, community and structural level. I understand all healing as a radical act.
My past work experience has included working in health care and community settings, in Toronto, Edmonton, Phnom Penh and now Denver.
I have experience and practice in the following modalities: DBT, CBT, CPT, Motivational Interviewing, CRA, Psychotherapy and Narrative Therapy.
Areas of interest include: addictions, queer experiences, experiences of homelessness or precarious housing, childhood trauma, intergenerational trauma, identity-based trauma and oppression, as well the healing power and resiliency fostered in identity-based communities.
Degree(s)
- Master of Social Work (MSW) - Social Work - Social Justice and Diversity Field of Study, University of Toronto, 2018
- Honours Bachelor of Science (Hon. B.Sc.) - Psychology Specialist, University of Toronto, 2014