This image is the cover for the book What I Couldn’t Tell My Therapist

What I Couldn’t Tell My Therapist

What I Couldn't Tell My Therapist shares the unforgettable stories of three patients in intensive therapy. Michelle, a dedicated psychotherapist, struggles with an addiction to people-pleasing and perfectionism while being tethered to opioids by mysterious chronic pain. After her own transformative odyssey, Michelle helps two troubled patients, Walter and Emma. Walter confronts the shadows of crippling depression and an intimate attachment to cannabis, while Emma yearns for a relationship but is stymied by her haunting fear of vulnerability. Within the sacred confines of intensive therapy sessions, their stories intertwine, creating a sanctuary for profound revelation. Through these stories, the profound truth emerges--that the unspoken holds the power to shape our healing journey. What I Couldn't Tell My Therapist serves as a testament to the power of intensive therapy, inviting us to confront the depths of our unspoken truths and unlock the hidden pathways to profound transformation.

Michelle M. May

Michelle M. May, LPC, NCC, is the author of What I Couldn’t Tell My Therapist. In sharing the unforgettable stories of three patients in intensive therapy, she exposes the complexities of the human experience and shows the power of intensive therapy, inviting readers to confront the depths of their unspoken truths and unlock the hidden pathways to profound transformation. Michelle is a psychotherapist based in Virginia and Washington, DC, distinguished for her expertise in Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP). She became a licensed professional counselor and a nationally certified counselor after receiving her bachelor’s in psychology from the University of Michigan LSA Honors College and her master’s in clinical mental health counseling from Marymount University. She serves as chair of the ISTDP core training program at the New Washington School of Psychiatry in Washington, DC, where she has been on the faculty since 2019. She is a certified teacher and supervisor by the International Experiential Dynamic Therapy Association (IEDTA). Her teachings not only enrich the understanding of this specialized therapy but also contribute to the development of future practitioners. Michelle has a thriving private practice in Arlington, Virginia, and Washington, DC, where she extends her expertise in intensive dynamic psychotherapy to adults and couples. Her approach is rooted in a deep understanding of the complexities of the human mind, and she employs ISTDP to facilitate transformative change in her clients. In the international community, Michelle provides training for health practices, organizations, and universities seeking to enhance their understanding of mental health and intensive dynamic therapies, as well as incorporate innovative therapeutic approaches into their practice. Michelle is also recognized for her supervision of licensed medical and mental health professionals in experiential dynamic therapies, including ISTDP. Her guidance ensures that practitioners receive comprehensive support and mentorship, fostering the growth and development of therapists within the dynamic field of psychotherapy. Her Instagram account, @michellemmaylpc, serves as a platform for disseminating mental health information and engaging with a wider audience.

Seven Leaves Press