About Michelle
About Michelle
Licensed social worker, mother of four, and someone who still needs the reminder to put her own oxygen mask on first.
My Story
Twenty years of sitting with families
I'm Michelle Riganti, a licensed social worker with more than 20 years of experience. My background is in family work, medical social work and psychiatric hospital settings. Those jobs taught me how much a family carries when one person is struggling, and how often the person holding it all together is a mom.
My medical social work background includes a great deal of work with older adults and with people going through fertility treatment. I also hold an active New York State license as a Licensed Nursing Home Administrator (LNHA), which has given me a lot of experience with older adults and with the sandwich generation: moms in middle age caring for their aging parents and their own children at the same time.
I earned my Master of Social Work at the University at Albany. I'm also a mother of four, so the school forms, the practice schedules and the dinner that nobody likes are part of my week too.
Why Moms
Why moms put themselves last
Most of the moms I see are very good at caring for other people. They remember the dentist appointments, the birthday gifts and the permission slips. Their own needs slide to the bottom of the list because there is always someone smaller or louder asking first.
I don't think the answer is to care less. I think it's to put on your own oxygen mask first, so you are no longer pouring from an empty cup.
How I Work
CBT and DBT
I use cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behavior therapy. We look at thoughts that keep you stuck and build skills you can use at 7 a.m. on a school day.
Who I See
Moms and their people
Moms, individuals, couples, families, teens ages 12 and up, young adults, new parents and older adults. Life transitions are my main focus.
Availability
Day, evening, weekend
All sessions are virtual for clients located in New York State. I space them so I keep my own work-life balance.
What Shapes Me
Courage, and a little self-compassion
I draw a lot from Brené Brown's work on courage and authenticity, and from Kristin Neff's writing on self-compassion. Both show up in the room when a mom tells me she's failing at everything. Usually she isn't. She's tired.
Outside of sessions, I'm happiest outdoors. I walk whenever I can, I protect quiet mornings with coffee, and I spend as much time with my kids as their schedules allow.
Credentials
Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW), New York State
Licensed Nursing Home Administrator (LNHA), New York State
Master of Social Work, University at Albany
Let's see if we're a good fit
A free consultation is the easiest way to meet me and ask your questions.