Education and Training Michelle was born and raised in the area surrounding Wichita Kansas. She attended Friends University for undergraduate studies. She began graduate studies in 2011 at Newman University and received a Master’s Degree in Social Work in 2015. Her concentration in graduate studies included school social work and gerontology with a practicum in hospice. As a part of this experience, she provided bereavement services to the families of the patients receiving hospice services. Michelle specializes in the areas of Substance Abuse, Trauma and Grief work. She is certified as a Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapist and utilizes this model of therapy with many children who become ready to process their individual trauma’s. She has been trained in EMDR and Attachment Based Family Therapy. She is currently working on certification in both treatment modalities and is currently under clinical supervision working on her clinical licensure. She works with all demographics of clients, including age, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, developmental level and religious affiliation. Michelle accepts BCBS and all Medicaid insurance companies. Previous Experience Michelle Ricklefs has over 20 years working in the social services. She began working in the field in 1996, working for an agency providing school-based service for at risk youth. She went into work as a support worker in child welfare in 2001. She began working in the Addiction Services Field in 2006 working as a treatment counselor. She continues to be licensed to provide these services in the state of Kansas and most of her work in this field has been with adolescent clients. She conducted assessments for treatment services to all ages of client, case management services for client’s involved with Kansas Department of Children and Families that have struggled with substance abuse. She has also conducted treatment counseling services to adolescents and adults. She began working in child welfare in 2016 as a Licensed Master’s Level Social Worker as a case manager for children in foster care awaiting adoption. She began working as a therapist in the residential setting in 2017 working with young ladies in foster care in a group home setting or a Qualified Residential Treatment Program. These young ladies receive clinical services while working their residential program toward successful completion. These services include individual, Family and Group psychotherapy sessions. Crisis services are also available as needed.