Michelle Dean

Hey, how’s it going?

Michelle originally hails from Delaware by way of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, before arriving here in the Magic City of Birmingham, Alabama. She is a registered board-certified art therapist and a licensed professional counselor after completing degrees at The University of the Arts and Drexel University.

In her nearly 30 years of clinical practice, she has gained expertise in working with individuals struggling with addiction, eating disorders, relationship issues, and traumatic experiences. She has worked in outpatient, residential and inpatient settings including positions at The Renfrew Center of Philadelphia.

In addition to her various clinical work, she also facilitated supervision, continuing education as an NBCC Continuing Education provider for clinicians, as well as wellness for the public. As an educator, she was the director of both graduate and undergraduate art therapy programs and an internationally recognized professor and keynote speaker, providing educational programs for clinicians locally and around the world, including China.

As if her accomplishments aren’t vast enough, she is also both an artist and published author. She has numerous publications including works of photography and creative nonfiction.

Michelle brings a compassionate approach to her clinical work in which clients find a safe place to create, explore, heal and transform on their recovery journey. Using art, storytelling, narrative and symbolism, she strives to meet clients where they are to best support their truth and help them become the best version of themselves.

Michelle enjoys the company of her dogs, whom she is deeply passionate about training, competing and working with in show and performance events. Fun fact, Michelle is the ethical Breeder for Crescent Grace’s therapy dogs, Gatsby and Lake, as well as other Border and Bearded Collies she has bred that have gone on to become champions, companions and therapy dogs bringing joy and love to all who meet them.

Her perfect Saturday entails morning coffee, puttering around the house catching up on projects, training her dogs, gardening and if there is time, perusing local thrift shops for hidden treasures.