Services
Training and Speaking on Intensive Dynamic Therapies and Mental Health
Michelle’s trainings and talks are designed to enrich clinical thinking, skills, and the emotional capacities of mental health professionals, universities, practices, and organizations. Her unique approach includes the integration of real therapy session videos, which provides participants with an opportunity to observe the therapeutic process in action. This hands-on approach offers participants a deeper understanding of the therapeutic process and helps them apply these skills to their own practices.
In trainings, Michelle invites a consistent focus on the clinician’s relationship to learning new clinical material, which fosters a deeper understanding of not only the new material, but the participant themselves. As a result, this method promotes rapid breakthroughs, enhancing the emotional capacities and overall effectiveness and efficiency of their professional development in psychotherapy.
Michelle’s trainings are flexible and can be tailored to the needs of different groups, whether at private practices, healthcare facilities, academic institutions, or other organizations. Her expertise makes her an invaluable resource for anyone looking to enhance their approach to mental health treatment.
For more information on training and speaking engagements, and to discuss fees, reach out to Michelle today to see how she can contribute to your event or organization.
On-Going Trainings
Introduction to Intensive Dynamic Therapy (Pre-Core Training)
This immersive three-day workshop introduces mental health professionals to Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP). This training is not meant to create new ISTDP therapists. It is meant to help participants learn the core basics that can translate into most models of therapy. Through video examples and hands-on exercises, participants will learn to understand unconscious anxiety, identify defense mechanisms, and apply these insights in clinical practice to enhance your your therapeutic skills and professional growth.
CEs: 16.5 CE credits
Cost: $700 for all three days
Location: Zoom
Next Training: January 13th - 15th and by group request
Registration: To register, email Michelle at maymichellem@gmail.com
Core Training in Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy at New Washington School of Psychiatry
Unlock the potential of Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP), an evidence-based, attachment-focused therapy model that helps therapists improve their effectiveness with diverse patients. ISTDP teaches you to address avoidance behaviors and anxiety, even in the most challenging cases, leading to a shorter, more cost-effective treatment outcomes.
Join one of the world’s longest-standing ISTDP programs and integrate this powerful approach with your personal strengths to elevate your practice.
This is an IEDTA-Certified Core Training.
Location: Zoom
Next Program Start: Fall 2025
Apply Here: New Washington School of Psychiatry
Upcoming Conferences and Presentations
(All of the following conferences and presentations are for mental health professionals only)
What I Couldn’t Tell My Therapist with The Farley Center
Date: Wednesday, December 11
Time: 9 am - 12 pm ET
Where: Stacy C. Sherwood Community Center 3740 Blenheim Blvd, Fairfax, VA 22030
CE: 3 CEs offered
Registration: Click the above link
Date: Friday, December 13
Time: 12 pm - 2 pm ET
Where: Online
CE: 2 CEs offered
Registration: Click the above link
Building and Sustaining a Powerful Conscious Therapeutic Alliance: The Six Triangles Framework
Date: Friday, January 24, 2025
Time: 9:45 am - 1 pm ET
Where: Online
CE: 3 Ces
Registration: Email Michelle at maymichellem@gmail.com
Consultative Supervision
Whether you're an emerging professional or a seasoned clinician, Michelle’s consultative supervision offers the guidance and support needed to sharpen your therapeutic skills and deepen your clinical insight.
Specializing in Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP) and an IEDTA-approved Supervisor and Teacher, Michelle provides both individual and group supervision, tailored to the unique needs of the individual or group. With her expertise, you’ll gain practical tools, clinical confidence, and a deeper understanding of intensive dynamic therapy that you can apply directly to your practice.
If you are eager to learn or deepen your knowledge of intensive dynamic therapeutic work, contact Michelle to schedule an individual consultative supervision session.
Individual Consultative Supervision
Michelle’s individual consultative supervision provides a personalized, in-depth learning experience for those looking to enhance their skills in intensive dynamic therapy.
Ideal for all stages of learning, these sessions offer:
A supportive, collaborative environment for exploring complex cases.
(Re)creating and (re)building on the basics.
Tailored guidance to refine clinical thinking and therapeutic skills.
Focused mentorship to deepen your understanding of unconscious conflicts and how to resolve them.
Personalized supervision that aligns with your specific needs and professional goals.
While Michelle is a board-approved supervisor in the state of Virginia, it's important to note that she is currently not accepting residents for licensure-approved supervision.
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Individual consultative supervision fees are the same as psychotherapy fees. However, Michelle has a sliding scale fee available for some who are not able to pay full fee. Please ask Michelle if there is availability for a sliding scale fee. One, two, or three hours are available.
90 Minute Supervision Session: $480
45 Minute Supervision Session: $240
Payments for individual consultative supervision may be made by Zelle or check (payable to Michelle M. May, LPC, LLC).
Group Consultative Supervision
In Michelle’s group consultative supervision, clinicians gather to learn from one another while benefiting from her expertise in ISTDP.
Group sessions offer:
A collaborative, interactive setting for diverse perspectives and feedback.
A safe place to learn and relearn the basics.
The opportunity to share and analyze cases within a community of peers.
Exposure to varied clinical approaches and techniques.
Support in developing your own therapeutic approach and style.
Practical insights into intensive dynamic therapy that you can apply directly to your practice.
While Michelle is a board-approved supervisor in the state of Virginia, it's important to note that she is currently not accepting residents for licensure-approved group supervision.
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To inquire about group consultative supervision fees, please email Michelle at maymichellem@gmail.com and provide your desired number of participants, frequency, and duration of time slot (one or two clinical hours).
Payments for individual consultative supervision may be made by Zelle or check (payable to Michelle M. May, LPC, LLC).
Individual and Couples Psychotherapy
Michelle M. May, LPC, NCC offers transformative therapy services for individuals and couples, drawing on her expertise in Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP) and other therapeutic modalities. She creates a safe, collaborative space where clients can work through their challenges, build stronger emotional connections, and foster personal growth.
Whether you're seeking individual therapy to address personal struggles or couples therapy to deepen your relationship, Michelle tailors her approach to meet your unique needs, helping you unlock lasting change.
Contact Michelle to explore how her tailored therapy services can help you achieve lasting change.
Individual Psychotherapy
Uncover Deep Healing with a Personalized Approach
Michelle M. May, LPC, NCC, specializes in Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP), an accelerated and highly effective treatment model. With her integrative approach, Michelle helps clients tackle the core emotional conflicts that contribute to various mental health challenges.
ISTDP is a unique therapeutic approach that combines active and experiential elements, integrating emotional and cognitive aspects to create an accelerated treatment model. ISTDP focuses on emotional engagement and the exploration of internal resistances within the therapeutic context. Both the therapist and client form a dynamic team, working together to achieve substantial and lasting results.
This method moves away from the prolonged nature of traditional therapies, instead fostering a more immediate and intensive approach to emotional healing. By focusing directly on unconscious conflicts, ISTDP empowers clients to confront painful emotions with the goal of achieving rapid transformation. Although the term "short-term" may suggest a brief process, treatment durations can vary significantly, as the depth of emotional work required can extend the time frame. Ultimately, ISTDP is designed to help individuals navigate their emotional landscapes, facilitating genuine healing and personal growth.
ISTDP, developed by Habib Davanloo, M.D. at McGill University, has been highly researched with a wealth of empirical validation for its effectiveness. Similar therapies have developed out of ISTDP, such as AEDP and APT, and are under the umbrella term Experiential Dynamic Therapies (EDT).
Therapeutic Focuses for Individual Therapy:
Anxiety
Obsessive thoughts or behaviors
Low self-esteem and confidence issues
Anger and resentment
Depression
Rumination and worry
Medically unexplained physical symptoms
Grief and loss
Relationship challenges
Shame and guilt
Therapeutic Techniques Used:
ISTDP (Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy): A dynamic therapy that fosters deep emotional and cognitive insight.
IFS (Internal Family Systems): Exploring different parts of yourself and how they interact.
CBT (Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy): Identifying and reframing negative thought patterns.
Mindfulness-Based Approaches: Cultivating present-moment awareness and emotional regulation.
Psychodynamic Interventions: Uncovering and resolving unconscious conflicts.
Couples Psychotherapy
Strengthen Your Connection with Proven Techniques
Couples therapy with Michelle integrates Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP), Internal Family Systems (IFS), the Gottman Method, and more, which offers couples powerful experiences and effective tools to rebuild connection, communication, and trust.
Therapeutic Focuses for Couples Therapy:
Communication breakdowns
Problems with intimacy and closeness
Resentment and unresolved conflicts
LGBTQI+ relationship issues
Techniques and Approaches for Couples:
ISTDP for Couples: Helping partners address unresolved emotional conflicts together.
Gottman Method Couples Therapy: Certified in Level 1 of this research-based method, Michelle provides tools to enhance communication, rebuild intimacy, and resolve conflict effectively.
IFS (Internal Family Systems): Exploring different parts of yourself and how they interact.
CBT (Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy): Identifying and reframing negative thought patterns.
Mindfulness-Based Approaches: Cultivating present-moment awareness and emotional regulation.
Psychodynamic Interventions: Uncovering and resolving unconscious conflicts.
More Information about Individual and Couples Psychotherapy
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Michelle is not currently accepting new clients but does maintain a waitlist. If you are a direct referral, you should inform her.
Appointments are available Monday through Friday. Her office hours can be found here.
Telehealth sessions are only offered to clients who are physically located in DC or Virginia.
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Initial Sessions:
Couples and individuals: Minimum of 90 minutes
Follow-up Sessions:
Individual sessions: 45 minutes or more
Couples sessions: 90 minutes or more
Block Therapy:
Sessions of 2 hours and 15 minutes or more
Ideal for out-of-town clients or those interested in extended sessions
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90-Minute Individual Session: $500
45-Minute Individual Session: $250
90-Minute Couples Session: $540
45-Minute Couples Session: $270
Payment is due at the time of service. Payments for psychotherapy may be made by check payable to Michelle M. May, LPC, LLC. A sliding scale fee spot may be available; inquire if needed.
Michelle is not a participating provider with any insurance programs. She does not accept Venmo or other similar payment methods as they are not yet HIPAA compliant.
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Michelle is an out-of-network provider. While her fees are often partially reimbursed by insurance, payments must be made upfront. She will provide appropriate paperwork for you to submit to your insurance company if requested.
It is advised to contact your insurance company before your first session to ask about out-of-network mental health benefits, deductible amounts, reimbursement rates, session limits, and the claims process.