Today, we’d like to introduce you to Michelle King Rayfield.
Hi Michelle, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
When I was young, I always said I wanted to be a dancer, a teacher, and a therapist. My first love was dance. I started at age three and danced through college and into professional arenas as an adult. I taught classes to children and teens and then began to pursue teaching in a different area.
I earned a Master’s in Education from the University of Southern California and became an Educator for the Deaf. I started out at a nonprofit learning center and theater program for children with hearing loss. Eventually, I worked my way into roles as a Public School Teacher, Private Educational Specialist, and Nonprofit Director.
I decided to go back to school at Pepperdine University in 2012, where I began my journey to become a therapist. As a Certified EMDR Therapist, Clinical Trauma Professional, and Expert in Addiction, I have held Clinical Director and Therapist positions at a number of rehabs across Southern CA, and I have researched psychological trauma and neuroscience with teams at Cedars-Sinai.
As a holistic practitioner, I integrate a variety of modalities into therapy, including CBT, DBT, attachment-based, IFS, EMDR, Brainspotting, and others. I am also a CAMFT Certified Supervisor who trains new professionals. In 2021, I founded a group practice called King Family Therapy, where I work with other skilled therapists.
With a continued passion for dance and music, I still love going to concerts around LA. I also love utilizing therapy to help people fulfill their goals by sharing the pieces of myself that can help them get there.
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?
Honestly, because I feel I have truly found my “calling,” the road has been pretty smooth. Once I was accepted into the Clinical Psychology program at Pepperdine University, I worked hard in school and achieved a 4.0 GPA. I suppose you could say that, at the time, it was a struggle to balance full-time work and school at the same time.
But after I graduated, things seemed to have worked out very naturally. I continued to work hard and do my very best as a therapist, and doors just kept opening. From my first job to subsequent job opportunities to new training and certifications to being introduced to a beautiful office in Santa Monica, I have been fortunate to have grown at a natural pace that has been very fulfilling and joyful.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
King Family Therapy is a therapy practice consisting of multiple talented and passionate therapists. We specialize in working with individuals and couples, specifically working on trauma, anxiety, life transitions, addiction, and relationships.
We offer EMDR therapy and Brainspotting, and we come with a wealth of knowledge in relation to other therapeutic modalities, including IFS, CBT, DBT, attachment, spirituality, and depth psychology. (If all of the acronyms are overwhelming, don’t worry – it’s all just therapy).
What’s next?
Plans for the future… well, they say there is no time like the present, and I think that’s what we like to focus on.
Living in the moment and being present in your life – these are not just things we suggest to our clients, but they also represent what we stand for ourselves. So, as far as the future, I would say we just want to keep doing what we are doing because we think it works!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.kingfamilytherapy.org
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/kingfamilytherapy
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/kingfamilytherapy
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/michellekingtherapy
- Other: www.michellekingtherapy.com
Image Credits
Jackson and Dakota
