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Dr. Michelle Speer, OTD, OTRL

Doctor of occupational therapy

Ann Arbor & Virtual

Michelle received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Grand Valley State University, where she gained experience in working with individuals in inpatient psychiatric facilities, as well as supporting and advocating for survivors of abuse. Michelle then completed her Doctoral Capstone project at the Children’s Trauma Assessment Center in Kalamazoo, MI, where she gained understanding of the foster care system, and gained clinical skills and specialized in trauma-informed care.

She utilizes a strengths-based and trauma-informed model of treatment. With her passion for mental health and sensory integration, she incorporates “bottom-up” sensory based approaches with “top-down” approaches, such as CBT, DBT, ACT, and IFS. Michelle is a certified Clinical Trauma Professional, ADHD Certified Clinician, Neurodiversity Specialist, and is certified in Integrated Listening Systems (iLs), Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP), Therapeutic Listening, and the AEIOU Feeding Approach. She is also a certified Therapy Dog Team with her dog, Fig Newton. Michelle is passionate about incorporating animal-assisted services within her treatment (when applicable).

Michelle strives to promote safety, connection, education, and individualized-holistic care. Michelle is fluent in Spanish and beginner-intermediate in American Sign Language. Outside of work, Michelle loves hiking with her husband and her dog, dancing, playing volleyball, horseback riding, and photography.

  • Hi there!! My name is Michelle! I’m an Occupational Therapist, which means I care about all of the things that make you, you!

    My job is to help create a safe space for you to explore who you are, what you need, how to do things you want to learn to do, and how to feel safe being you in this world! I work with kids and parents, which means I might ask your parent(s) some questions too. When you’re in my treatment space, you can do just about anything! We can play together, we can parallel play, we can talk, we can be silent, we can do big body movements, and we can do small body movements! There may be some hard things that we try or talk about, but I will always make sure that you get to tell me when it’s time to take a break from that.

    Things that I really like to talk about that aren’t occupational therapy things are dogs, dancing, Spongebob, and memes! :) I’m really excited to meet you!!

Work with Dr. Michelle

  • Doctorate in Occupational Therapy; University of Michigan-Flint; 2022

    • ADHD, Autism, & AuDHD

    • Anger, Impulsivity, & Defiance

    • Anxiety, Panic Disorder & Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

    • Depression

    • Developmental Delays

    • Eating & Feeding Disorders

    • Executive Functioning

    • Learning Differences & Academic Challenges

    • Life Transitions

    • Motor Coordination & Gross Motor Deficits

    • Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA)

    • Self-Esteem

    • Sensory Processing

    • Suicidal Ideation & Self-Harm

    • Toileting Issues

    • Trauma & PTSD

  • Individuals, Couples, Families, Groups

    • Infants & Toddlers

    • Children (4-10)

    • Preteens

    • Teens

    • Adults

    • Seniors (65+)

    • Blue Cross Blue Shield

    • Aetna

    • Blue Care Network – For clients with a formal Autism diagnosis from a referring provider

    • English (Fluent)

    • Spanish (Fluent)

    • American Sign Language (Intermediate)

Get to know Dr. Michelle

  • The most generic answer… however you want!! I truly do not come in with an agenda into sessions. I’ve learned that radical acceptance and focusing on connection are what are at the foundation of my work. From there, I can build on that to provide whatever you need! Less structure/lower demand needed? I’ve got you! More structure and direction wanted? You’ve got it! Low slow flow? Sure thing! Fast blast and intense? Let’s do it! More play-based? I can rock it. More talk-based? Love it! I love to explain the “why” behind most things I do, so you can expect a little bit of education incorporated into the session too.

  • You’re safe here! I’m here for you, and I’ll be whatever you need me to be in that moment. I’m excited to learn about you and play/talk!

  • This is still in the worlds, but I was previously a certified therapy dog team with my dog, Fig Newton. He recently retired due to neurological challenges. I am currently in training with my second dog, Kona Mocha! I hope in the near future to be able to offer animal-assisted services during OT sessions!

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