The True Specialty of Mental Health Mobile Crisis

As long as she can remember, Michelle has been curious about the brain and human behavior. After receiving her graduate degree in Clinical Psychology in 1999, her first position was as a crisis responder in South Carolina. The work was energizing and an instant fit.

In 2001, Michelle took a job as a crisis clinician in Indianapolis. With amazing mentors, law enforcement and EMS guidance, and a solid team, she found her calling ~crisis work ~ working in the trenches! During the day, Michelle taught classes at Indiana University/IUPUI and, in the evening, worked on the crisis team. These two roles allowed for teaching, continual learning, professional growth, and perfecting the skills needed to be effective in crisis work.

In December 2009, Michelle relocated to the Rocky Mountains of Colorado and joined a foundation that was forming a new agency. With crisis as the agency’s focus, she brought her skills to the table.  Again, doing crisis work and educating first responders, she found herself back with her two passions.  "With 28 years in the field, I have seen little in the way of true, in-person training for crisis workers from individuals who have actually done the frontline work. Hence, I created a training program and founded Frontline Crisis Academy to support this emerging specialty in mental health. Being a crisis clinician has never been just a job, it's a calling; it's who I am at heart. I will always jump to work “in the trenches” and train others to do the same with efficiency, confidence, safety, and pride!"