Dr. Michelle Engblom-Deglmann, PhD, LMFT

DR. MICHELLE ENGBLOM-DEGLMANN

Philosophy and Approach

The idea of therapy can be exciting, stressful, hopeful, overwhelming or downright terrifying. I am proud of you for beginning the search, for exploring, reaching out, and caring about yourself, your relationships, and your family to seek help. You are worth it and so are your relationships. 

My training and personal approach to therapy and consulting is based on a system perspective, that is, I view people as part of a great system, not as an individual in a vacuum. Sometimes those systems can cause difficulties that cannot be fully understood without looking at the system they were created by. I generally use a systemic model called Emotionally Focused Therapy, both with couples and with individuals. This type of therapy has been scientifically validated over the last 20 years and focuses on attachment injuries, needs and longings, and our emotional reactions and responses to those attachment experiences. I am a trained Emotionally Focused Therapist and also employ elements of other effective systemic models which include narrative therapy, experiential therapy, and the principles of John Gottman as well. 

My clinical specialties include working with couples and individual leaders. I help the helpers (pastors, therapists, ministry or non-profit leaders, university staff, etc.) who are giving so much to others. Although I am trained and have experience in dealing with a wide range of difficulties facing couples, individuals and families, I have extensive clinical experience in divorce and remarriage, marital conflict, intimacy, addressing and increasing trust and intimacy, infertility, attachment issues, depression and anxiety. I also have experience with adolescents, parenting skills, adoption and foster care related issues, high conflict couples, and infidelity. 

Education and Training

I earned my Ph.D. in Marriage and Family Therapy from St. Louis University, with a minor in Research Methodology and a certificate in University Teaching. Prior to my doctoral education, I earned a Master of Arts degree in Counseling Psychology at St. Cloud State University in Minnesota with a certificate in Marriage and Family Therapy and a Bachelor of Arts degree at the College of St. Benedict in Minnesota. 

I have completed specialized training (externship and core skills) in Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy as well as trainings in EFFT (Emotionally Focused Family Therapy) and EFIT (Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy) through the International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy, special training in Applied Suicide Intervention Skills, Trauma Informed Therapy, PREPARE/ENRICH-a relationship assessment for premarital couples, and Trauma Focused Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy.

Supervision

I have extensive training and experience as a supervisor. I am an approved supervisor with the Oregon Board of Licensed Professional Counselors and Therapists and I have been an AAMFT (American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy) Approved Supervisor since 2011. AAMFT Approved Supervisors are dedicated professionals who have obtained the educational, experiential, and supervisory training required for the competent supervision of therapists, with a particular emphasis on marriage and family therapists and trainees. Those who have earned the designation serve as mentors who support and nurture licensed and pre-licensed therapists, and provide a learning environment that ensures thorough training and education as well as a strong foundational self-work that enhances their clinical work and work satisfaction. 

I provide supervision to masters and doctoral level students and clinicians who are seeking supervision towards licensure or to enhance their clinical and self of the therapist skills with their own clients. I provide group and individual supervision to licensed and pre-licensed therapists who are committee to refining their clinical work in an ongoing and supportive supervisory relationship. 

Other Experience

I am an Associate Professor and Chair of the Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling program in the Graduate School of Counseling at George Fox University. In this role, I train, supervise and teach master’s level therapists in their coursework, internship and personal and professional growth to becoming a licensed professional. As a professor of counseling, I have taught courses on Couples Counseling, Family Counseling, Clinical Internship, Emotionally Focused Therapy, Research Methodology, Spirituality and Clinical Praxis, Introduction to Marriage and Family Therapy and Professional Development and Christian Identity.  

I also am an avid researcher in the field of marriage and family therapy and have authored articles and presented on topics of divorce, remarriage, infertility, spinal cord injury, trust, and attachment. I have organized and held couples retreats and marriage conferences and can conduct these upon request. 

Licensure and Certification

I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with the Oregon Board of Licensed Professional Counselors and Therapists (T1004) and in the state of California with the Board of Behavioral Studies (81035). I participate in ongoing continuing education in subjects relevant to the field and practice. 

Fees and Policies

My hourly rate for a 50-minute counseling session is $200. Occasionally, 80-minute sessions may be scheduled at the rate of $300. Payment is made upfront on a weekly or monthly basis via cash, check, or credit card. While we do not accept insurance, you may investigate if your insurance covers out-of-network providers and what those terms are. You may be able to submit paperwork to your insurance company in order to apply our sessions to deductibles and/or receive assistance or reimbursement for the costs. I am happy to provide a bill of services that you can submit to your insurance company upon request if you find you have out of network coverage.

Please contact me directly for my supervision rates for individual and group supervision. 

Couple’s Intensives and Retreats are available upon request. Please talk with Jeff or Terra Mattson if you are interested in these options. We often utilize the Living Wholehearted Lodge and Retreat for more enrichment opportunities outside the hourly appointments at our Tualatin office. 

Please contact me at (503) 300-4557 or michelle@livingwholehearted.com to schedule an appointment or to discuss your individual needs.