Mikayla Bavaro, LSW

I believe every person has value and purpose, and that no one is a mistake; everyone has a life worth living. My mission in life is to walk alongside people whose hearts are hurting, to hold space, and be a vessel of love and light. Whether working with a child, teen, or adult, I meet clients where they are on their journey and help them see that they are not an accident, but a person worthy of dignity, love, and respect.

Experience

I have been privileged with many diverse opportunities as a social worker: former experiences include work with at-risk youth in both mentoring and foster care settings, as well as internships where I have worked closely with survivors of human trafficking and domestic violence. I have experience with community organizing and fundraising and have passionately served in my church’s high school ministry for years. Before entering private practice, I spent a year working in an inpatient psychiatric hospital, where I worked closely with a multidisciplinary team and with those experiencing acute mental illness, including bipolar disorder, personality disorders, trauma, and psychosis.

Specialties

Play Therapy: Child-Play-Therapy; Adlerian; Client centered and more…

I quickly developed a passion and skillset for working with children ages 5-10 experiencing depression, anxiety, and trauma using play therapy. Within the context of an inviting playroom and trusted “playmate,” children process their emotions, build self-esteem and autonomy, learn problem solving and emotional regulation skills. I see caregivers as an integral part of the play therapy process and highly value connecting and building relationships with the whole family as I walk alongside a child. I am training in child play therapy and an Adlerian theoretical framework for best outcomes for our children and families.

Couples therapy: EFT; Gottman; Client Centered; attachment bonds

I care for relationship health:  I also address issues that contribute to problems in relationships such as addiction, depression, anxiety and more…

Relationship health is integral to an individual’s wellbeing.  Depression and anxiety can worsen when couples are stuck in negative cycles of communication and behavior. I can help by using emotionally focused therapy techniques to identify the negative cycle clients are experiencing, explore attachment wounds, and create a more secure bond between couples. I work with both individuals and adults with relationship issues and see how depression and anxiety improve once bonds are restored.

Trauma and Addiction: Motivational Interviewing, Client Centered; Trauma Informed Care; Unconditional Positive Regard; Family Systems, Faith-Based Therapy

One area of special interest for me is individuals experiencing trauma and addiction, whether it is the individual themselves or a loved one of someone with an addiction. My graduate education was concentrated on addictions; I am currently working toward my Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) certification, to provide specialized care to this unique population. I am familiar with the pattern of addiction, understand it is a complex, difficult road to walk, and focus on seeing the “person behind the substance use,” as individuals pursue healing and recovery, one day at a time.

How I help

I would describe my approach as humanistic and experiential, focusing on exploring who my clients are, who they want to be, and how they want to get there. I balance a warm, nondirective style with compassionate directness and challenge clients to grow beyond their comfort zone. My therapeutic inspiration comes from Carl Rogers; I primarily use person-centered therapy, as well as weave in approaches that focus on how an individual’s values, emotions, relationships, and past experiences show up in the therapy space. For clients who desire a more structured and direct approach, I utilized cognitive behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, and solution focused on brief therapy. As a Christian, I love working with other people of faith who wish to incorporate their religious or spiritual beliefs into their therapeutic work. I will weave faith into multiple therapy modalities based on the client’s wishes.

More About Me

As a “social introvert,” my favorite things involve a balance of spontaneous adventures with friends and family and retreats in my cozy studio with my two cats, Sprinkles and Bandit. I love exploring local coffee shops, binge watching or listening to true crime podcasts, documentaries, or reality TV; I enjoy painting by number or jigsaw puzzles, all the while drinking more coffee. I would consider myself to be a whimsical, free spirit and love walking outside, cooking, planning my next tattoo, shopping for the next “perfect” book, apartment decor, or item for play therapy. My favorite days are those where I have no plans and just delight in the Lord’s blessings over my life.