Mikayla Wichern

My Journey 

The topic of mental health appears to be becoming more and more prevalent in our culture and daily lives. Most of us probably know someone who has experienced mental health difficulties. I would venture to guess that you’re reading this page because you may be feeling that difficulty yourself. Almost all of us have been there, either ourselves or with someone in our lives. My journey in the field of mental health began when I suddenly found myself walking with a friend through a quick onset of anxiety, depression, and panic attacks. I could feel the pain this friend was experiencing on a daily basis and knew from there that nobody should ever be alone in that journey. I want to be a part of your journey.

Why I Love This Work

Mental health challenges can feel incredibly debilitating and can impact every aspect of our lives, and many of us are searching for any kind of relief. It can feel impossible to imagine an end in the midst of it. You may be feeling hopeless and see no end in sight. I believe there are multiple interventions and approaches that have been heavily researched and shown to help people see a significant reduction in PTSD, anxiety, depression, etc. I believe this reprieve is possible for you too. I want to come alongside you to help you understand your experience and figure out the treatment that may best alleviate those symptoms. I want you to know there is real hope and we can see real change. Let’s figure out what that might look like for you. 

Empowering You

My primary goal for each session is for you to feel seen, cared for, and empowered. You are the expert of your own experience. Ultimately, you are in control of your own journey and I hope to provide you with the tools you need to continue on the path of healing. I strive to create a safe space where you can express those really honest and raw thoughts and emotions without any fear of judgment. Through collaboration, we will help you identify your goals, or what you would like to be different, and how I may be able to assist you in meeting those goals. Our work together may often focus on learning how your symptoms manifest in your mind and body, developing skills to teach your mind and body to relax or feel safe, and learning additional tools to continue this as you progress forward from therapy. I hope you become so equipped to approach whatever life may throw at you that I work myself out of a job!

Professional Background 

I earned my Bachelors of Social Work from the University of Missouri and immediately began my Masters of Social Work following graduation. While in graduate school, I worked at a pro bono clinic in Columbia providing therapy, including Cognitive Processing Therapy, to individuals while under direct supervision of an LCSW. I completed my final internship of my MSW at an acute, inpatient psychiatric hospital, providing brief interventions based in evidence-based practices, primarily Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Since then, I have worked in a high-security, inpatient mental health facility providing evidence-based treatment for individuals with Schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders. Providing individual therapy, primarily for individuals experiencing symptoms of anxiety and traumatic stress has been my dream for a long time, and I am excited to do this work with Aspire!