Michelle Risser, LISW

09/29/2025

Your therapy client isn’t resistant or unmotivated. They’re stuck in survival mode — and insight alone won’t get them out.

In this 2-hour workshop, you’ll learn how to recognize and work with the ghosts, zombies, and shadows that show up in the therapy room — the internal states that block progress, sabotage growth, and keep clients circling the same patterns no matter how much insight they gain.

These stuck states often look like:

• Nervous system shutdown, dissociation, or flat affect (zombie mode)
• Trauma legacies, unresolved grief, or generational patterns (ghosts from the past)
• Inner parts, blocking beliefs, or protectors (the shadow self that digs in its heels)

You’ll walk away with practical interventions from trauma-informed care, EMDR, and parts work to help your clients shift from survival to integration.
Help your clients get unstuck and finally start moving forward again.

The Haunted Therapy Room
A 2-hour live training with a fun Halloween twist
2 NBCC and Ohio CEs included

Because not all hauntings are supernatural. Sometimes the past lives in the present. And knowing how to work with that makes all the difference.

https://www.strongblossomce.com/hauntedtherapyroom
Use the code BOO10 for $10 off!

Learn practical interventions from trauma-informed care, EMDR, and parts work to help your clients shift from survival to integration.

09/12/2025

My EMDR group calendar is open through the end of the year!

These groups are for EMDR-trained therapists who are working toward certification or just wanting to gain confidence in your skills and get support.

Groups are $40 each of $150 for a 5-pack.

Please feel free to share with colleagues who may be looking for groups. I hope to see you soon!
https://calendly.com/mrisser/emdr-consultation-groups

04/14/2025

When a mom says, “I’m losing my mind. I need help,”
and the response is, “You got this,”
that’s not support. That’s dismissal.

She just told you she’s not okay.
She doesn’t need a cheerleader. She needs backup.
She’s exhausted, touched out, overwhelmed, and still doing it all.

Telling her she’s strong doesn’t lighten the load.
Showing up for her does.

Hold the baby, bring the food, sit with her while she cries on the kitchen floor.

Listen when she says she’s struggling.
Believe her. Help her. Don’t wait until she breaks to take it seriously.

01/17/2025

Looking for fun, not-at-all boring CE trainings?

I am excited to announce that I am now a continuing education provider for counselors, social workers and MFTs in Ohio through my continuing education company, Strongblossom, Inc! 🌸

We are already up and running with exciting events!

🌸 In-person CE luncheons in Columbus, OH with Kaela Rae Vance LPCCS - Grief & Trauma Therapist in Columbus, Ohio.

🌸Guest Expert trainings for trauma therapists with the BRAVE Trauma Therapist Collective.

🌸Live online training with MacKenzie Bradke Lestere Lester and the Theramamas on Feb 28 at 1pm EST. I’m presenting on Overcoming Blocks and Barriers in Therapy.

And in the works:

🌸High Tea and CEs

🌸CE Retreats in our beautiful Ohio State Parks

🌸Supervision CEs

Watch this space for more information and registration links, and sign up for my email list here so I can keep you up to date. https://mailchi.mp/e032b647df52/strongblossom-inc-mental-health-continuing-education

09/17/2024

Live with Trisha Owsley! Content warning: su***de, substance abuse. September is Su***de Awareness Month as well as Recovery Month. We are talking about su***de awareness and prevention and addiction recovery. Content warning: su***de, substance abuse. https://www.facebook.com/1646672824/videos/502674512692090/

11/06/2023

Available for EMDR!
I currently have 1-2 spots open for regular, hourly EMDR therapy online or in Columbus. I have not had openings in a very long time and won't for long because I am changing my model to intensive only. If you need someone to refer to, send them my way!
I accept Aetna, UHC, Medicare, Ohio Health and Medical Mutual.
In addition to a couple of hourly slots, I also offer 3 and 6 hour EMDR intensives.
I love working with other therapists if you have a client who could use some EMDR while continuing to work with you.
I am a consultant-in-training and have groups and individual consultation available.
Find out more and contact me here! www.michellerissercounseling,com

09/25/2023

Offering EMDR Intensive Therapy in Ohio!

This is my favorite way to work.
People can heal from trauma, old negative patterns and anything else that keeps them feeling stuck within hours or days, not months or years. Right now I have 3 and 6 hour sessions available, and I will be expanding this to offer multiple-day intensives in 2024.

Find out more at https://michellerissercounseling.com/emdr-intensive-therapy.

07/13/2023

EMDR THERAPISTS:
I love EMDR consultation!!! 💖

I am having so much fun expanding into this phase of my career and supporting other clinicians.

If you are an EMDR clinician working toward certification or just wanting to expand your knowledge and skills in a friendly, affordable group, you're in the right place. ✨✨✨

(As a CIT, I am not able to provide your initial training hours.  I can provide up to 15 hours towards certification)

I have openings in my Monday drop-in 1-hour lunch and learn groups this summer. Noon Eastern, $25 starting this coming Monday.

My clinical focus areas are maternal mental health, EMDR intensives, and helping providers prevent and overcome burnout.

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Sign up here! https://calendly.com/mrisser/emdr-consultation-monday-lunch-and-learn