Michelle Topal

When you meet with me through Zoom, you will often see my Westie, Ginsburg, sitting behind me. She is there to help create a safe, nurturing environment. You will also see a door dressed up in queer flags, symbols and messages of pride. I have been part of, and working with, the queer community for over 30 years. You will find me enthusiastic in my support, in part to balance my painful awareness of harm being done currently to our community. I want to provide you with the space to explore who you are and how to grow into a person that can take you through your life. I work with teens, parents, families, relationships of all types and individual adults. My style is accepting, straight-forward, creative (to find the language and concepts that resonate for you), interactive, sometimes funny and always authentic. And while I try to create a warm, accepting, nurturing and quiet space, I am keenly aware of the sometimes hostile environments that impacts our communities just outside our therapy bubble and how this may be part of our work together.