“Dr. Chel”
Michele Ferraro, PsyD, MBA, FOT, RMT
Licensed Clinical Health Psychologist
I am a proponent of holistic medicine. As a healer, I believe in the mind body spirit connection. I hold a PsyD in clinical psychology from ISPP and a MBA from the University of Chicago. I am a certified Focusing Teacher, a Reiki master/teacher and practitioner. I am also trained in EMDR and hypnotherapy.
My doctoral dissertation:
Focusing used as an intervention for chronic painfound statistically significant results.
The study demonstrated how using Focusing allows one to (a) become mindful of an inner resource that guides and creates a space for relaxing and healing; (b) develop an active stance and decide how s/he would live her/his life; (c) identify, define, and work with the pain experience; and (d) develop a sense of wonder at the body’s capacity to reveal the true, meaning of issues and concerns, and understand how to access the inner resources, and understand how this creates a sense of hopefulness.
In treatments that work, the patients do not get worse, they trend towards health. The statistical tests and transcripts of the sessions suggest Focusing works. Focusing, and especially Clearing A Space (CAS), have a positive effect when used as an intervention for chronic pain patients. The measures over time reveal a trend towards health for each participant. The participants had varying (from session to session) degrees of experiential success. They all identified felt sense and felt shifts. Moreover, changing their relationship to their pain was a process, in which ultimately each participant achieved success.
I combine Reiki with Meditation, Guided Imagery, Focusing, and
EMDR in private practice. I am also an artist and writer.
Credentials:
Doctorate in Clinical Psychology
Illinois Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Kansas Licensed Psychologist
The Illinois School of Professional Psychology, Argosy University
Chicago, Illinois
Masters in Business Administration
University of Chicago
Executive MBA
The Focusing Institute
Focusing Teacher and Certified Focusing Professional
EMDR Practitioner
EMDRIA
Reiki Master Teacher
Insight Awareness, John Sparks
Clinical Orientation
My orientation is Person-Centered Therapy and I am a Focusing Oriented Therapist. I have training in EMDR, Reiki, Hypnotherapy, EFT, Meditation, Yoga, Conflict Resolution, Cross-lingual coaching, and Spirituality
Psychological Publications
Ferraro, M. (2015). Pure Essence Focusing. Potpourri Folio: a journal for Focusing and
experiential therapy. 26:1.
Ferraro, M. (2015). Prevention, maintenance, and reduction of stress In Serena Wadhwa (Ed.)
Stress in the Modern World: understanding science and society. Goleta, CA: ABC:CLIO.
Ferraro, M. (2014). Healing Happens From Within: crossing two modalities with Focusing.
Folio: a journal for Focusing and experiential therapy. Focusing And Crossings and Integrations. 25:1, pp 131-138 .
Ferraro, M. (2008, September). An Example of Focusing and Chronic Pain. Staying in Focus:
The Focusing Institute Newsletter. 8, 3, p. 7.
Presentations
Ferraro, M. (2011, JULY). Chronic Pain in the 21st Century: Focusing Used As An Intervention For
Chronic Pain: Using the inner volcano as a metaphor.
Presentation at ADPCA (Association for the Development of the Person Centered
Approach), Loyola University, Chicago, Illinois
Ferraro, M. (2009, November). Focusing for Chronic Pain in the 21st Century.
Presentation at Focusing-Oriented Psychotherapies: First World Conference. New
York, NY.
Ferraro, M. (2009, May). Chronic Pain in the 21st Century. 3 hour Presentation at the 21st
International Focusing Conference in Awaji, Japan.
Ferraro, M. (2008, May). Focusing and Chronic Pain. Paper presented at the 20th
International Focusing Conference in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Chel Ferraro is not a licensed physician. Services provided such as Focusing and Reiki are alternative or complementary to the healing arts services licensed by the State of Illinois. Services are non-diagnostic and do not include the practice of medicine, neither should they be considered as a substitute for licensed medical services or procedures.
The State of Illinois does not require licensing for these practices.