Hidden Gems: Meet Michelle Malloy of Michelle Malloy LMFT, PMH-C

Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelle Malloy.

Hi Michelle, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Psychology and philanthropy have both been important parts of my life for as long as I can remember. I actually got interested in psychology back in fifth grade after reading a few fiction books about schizophrenia and multiple personality disorder. I was intrigued by the human mind and ways to help others. I also had family members in healthcare, which sparked even more curiosity and inspired me to learn about mental health early on.

In high school, I got involved with the Kiwanis organization and loved volunteering. When I went to UCLA to study psychology, I served as the philanthropy chair for my sorority. That was such a fun way to combine my love of giving back with event planning. Around that time, I started working in UCLA’s OCD program, and that experience completely changed the direction of my career. I realized how much I loved working with OCD and anxiety disorders, and that has been my focus ever since.

After graduate school in Orange County, I stayed and started my private practice in 2008. Like many young adults, I got so busy building my career that I lost touch with community volunteering for a while. Then, in 2011, a friend introduced me to the Orange Blossoms, a young women’s auxiliary of the Assistance League. They described it a volunteer group for young women that was also social. I knew this would be a great fit for me and it has been a huge part of my life ever since. I’ve held many roles, like Philanthropy Chair, Membership Chair, and even Chairman.

Outside of the Orange Blossoms, I have a real passion for supporting literacy, education, and healthcare. Giving back to causes that promote learning and well-being has always been close to my heart. Along with volunteering, I also donate personally and with my family to organizations in this realm. I think this is a tangible way to stay connected to your values.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I would consider myself lucky to say that it’s actually been a smooth road. Of course, there have been stressful moments and mistakes along the way, but I really see those as opportunities for growth. I try to encourage flexibility; both in myself and in my clients. You can think of situations as roadblocks or as opportunities. It’s all about perspective.

I’m also a big believer in learning from your mistakes. Many years ago, I made up this idea that you get five mistakes a day. It doesn’t matter if it’s a big mistake, like getting into a car accident, or a small one, like being five minutes late. I just think to myself, “Okay, that’s one.” It’s a way to remind myself that not only are you allowed to make mistakes, they’re opportunities for learning and not for shaming yourself. Also, if you’ve been doing well, I like to think you can earn some rollover mistakes (back like rollover minutes) so you’ve got some in the bank for the future.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Michelle Malloy LMFT, PMH-C?
I’ve been a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist since 2008 and started my private practice soon after. I specialize in OCD and anxiety disorders. When I first started my practice. I was the only solo practitioner that treated OCD in Orange County. I have been so happy to see more providers that now also treat OCD, because there are never enough clinicians. I first got my training while I was at UCLA, and in 2008 I started my training through the International OCD foundation. I completed their General, Adult, and Advanced BTTI programs, which really shaped how I practice today.

I primarily use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), which are evidence-based approaches for treating OCD and anxiety. CBT helps people identify and change unhelpful thought patterns that contribute to anxiety, while ERP involves helping people face feared situations or thoughts without engaging in the compulsive behaviors that temporarily relieve anxiety. It’s a process of learning to tolerate discomfort and increase learning. When using these tangible, evidence based methods, clients can see real progress and create lasting change.

Over the years, I’ve also developed a strong interest in perinatal mental health. As a mom of four, I saw firsthand how important support during that stage of life can be. In 2016, I began specialized training in Perinatal Mental Health. It has been a hugely gratifying experience helping parents navigate anxiety and OCD during that time.

I’m also passionate about education and outreach. I speak regularly about OCD and anxiety, and earlier this year, I created a journal to help people manage panic attacks. Most people don’t know that panic attacks are highly treatable. I have gathered information I’ve used with clients over the years into an easy to understand and use journal and have received fantastic feedback on the result.

How do you define success?
I think success can show itself in many forms. A lot of people get caught up in comparisons, they look at the success of others and use it as a reason to feel inadequate. But success looks different for everyone.
For one person, success might mean running a marathon, while for someone else, just getting outside for a walk around the block might feel like a huge win. I think success is whatever makes you proud and adds something meaningful to your life. It doesn’t have to be big or impressive, if it makes you feel good about yourself and the direction you’re going, that’s success.

Pricing:

• Journal $24.99
• Therapy $200-300

Contact Info:

• Website: https://OC-Therapy.com
• Other: https://www.amazon.com/Anxiety-Panic-Journal-Understanding-Empowerment/dp/B0FCD2C1WH

Image Credits
Smetona Photo
Andre Ausseresses