Therapist Michele Root, LCSW has long brown hair, is wearing a dark green long dress, and stands in a dry grassy field with green trees in the background, smiling slightly at the camera.

About Michele Root, LCSW

A safe healing sanctuary for trauma survivors

Hello, I’m Michele Root, LCSW, an EMDR Trauma Therapist supporting clients in-person in Campbell, CA, and online in California and Pennsylvania.

I specialize in sexual trauma, childhood trauma, complex trauma, intimate partner violence, and working with first responders and healthcare workers.

Reach out for a consultation

What I stand for

  • Doing the work

    I’ve experienced profound personal healing through EMDR, and that journey is part of what fuels my passion for trauma therapy. It’s one of the reasons I have confidence in EMDR and in every person’s capacity to heal.

  • Being a sanctuary

    Trauma can be  overwhelming. My goal is to be a stable safe space for my clients to seek shelter and come out the other side stronger.

  • Diving into the dark places

    I have experience finding the light in dark places, and I’m ready to walk steadily alongside you on your healing journey.

  • Saving ourselves

    I will provide guidance and support, informed by evidence, but at the end of the day, it’s your healing journey. You are the only person who can truly save yourself.

  • Befriending the nervous system

    Talking and thinking can only get us so far. Especially when trauma is involved, the path to feeling lighter is through the body.

  • Inclusivity

    This practice is a safe space for people of all gender identities, ethnic backgrounds, abilities, and sexual orientations.

Michele Root, LCSW is wearing a light brown sweater and blue jeans, stands indoors with her hands in her pockets, smiling softly at the camera.

Before I was a therapist, I was a third-generation first-responder…

I spent my early adulthood volunteering as an emergency medical technician (EMT) and firefighter at my local fire and ambulance companies in Pennsylvania.

I witnessed many of my patients and fellow first responders experience significant emotional impacts, which inspired me to study psychology in college.

After completing my undergraduate degree in psychology, I went on to work in social services which involved child abuse and victim services. My role had a special emphasis on sexual assault, including attending rape forensic exams for both adults and children and navigating the criminal justice system. 

These events can have lasting impacts on survivors, and I wanted to be able to support healing beyond the immediate aftermath. That’s why I ultimately chose to attend graduate school to become a clinician.

Michele Root, LCSW holds open a mental health textbook next to The Set Boundaries Workbook on a wooden table. The pages discuss psychological conditions with highlighted sections.

I’ve carefully built my career toward becoming a therapist specializing in trauma…

During graduate school, I completed an internship at Stanford Health Care where I spent time in inpatient psychiatry, the oncology clinic, and the emergency department. 

I also completed an internship as a community therapist through the University of Southern California and was selected to complete a voluntary externship with Keck School of Medicine that focused on older adults.

After graduation, I completed a yearlong post-graduate fellowship at Stanford Children’s Health before transitioning to the private practice space.

Finally, I opened my own practice to focus on the cases that will forever hold my heart: trauma, complex trauma, sexual trauma, and first-responders.

Reach out for a consultation

Training and Education

My passion for this work inspires me to seek ongoing training and certification.

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Millersville University of Pennsylvania

  • Master's Degree in Social Work from the University of Southern California

  • Stanford-trained, including a graduate internship and post-graduate fellowship

  • EMDRIA Certified EMDR Therapist

  • EMDR International Association (EMDRIA) member

  • EMDR Therapy and the Treatment of Complex PTSD in Adult Survivors of Childhood Abuse and Neglect

  • Combining Somatic and Ego-State Therapies with EMDR

  • Trauma Resiliency Model (TRM) Levels 1 and 2 from the Trauma Resource Institute

  • Essentials of CBT from Beck Institute

Therapy Modalities

I use a psychodynamic and somatic approach while also incorporating some of the following therapeutic modalities:

  • Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)

  • Problem solving therapy

  • Solution focused therapy

  • Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

  • Trauma resiliency model (TRM)

  • Gender affirmative care model

  • Attachment-based therapy

  • Person-centered therapy

  • Motivational interviewing

  • Mindfulness

A bit about me outside the office

One of the most important aspects of therapy is having good rapport with your therapist, so here’s a bit about what I’m like as a person.

Michele Root, LCSW is wearing a teal sweater and jeans, stands smiling in a grassy field with trees in the background.

  • East Coast Native On the West Coast

    I identify as a white, cisgender woman and a first-generation college graduate. 

    I was born and raised in Pennsylvania and later moved to California with my spouse, a military veteran.

  • Voracious Bookworm

    Reading has been an integral part of my own healing journey.

    In fact, I often reference relational books or movies in sessions to foster deeper connections and understanding.

  • Animal Lover & Cat Mom

    Nature and animals bring me inspiration and joy.

    My cat, Evie, may occasionally make a guest appearance as an emotional support animal during telehealth sessions. 

  • Lifelong Runner

    Prioritizing my own health and fitness is a cornerstone of my life, allowing me to show up as my best self in my work. 

    I’ve found running to be a powerful way to retrain my nervous system and cultivate balance.

Reaching out for support can be extremely tough to do

This is a judgment-free zone. I am here to help you feel safe and supported. 

Start Therapy