ira michel
LICENSED MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELOR

Hello, my name is Ira Michel. I am an enrolled Yakama Nation member and a descendant of the Colville Tribe through my late father, Bruce Michel. I have lived on the Colville reservation all of my life. 
I completed my AA degree at Wenatchee Valley College in chemical dependency studies and worked as a Substance Use Disorder Professional at Okanogan County Juvenile youth services in 2006. After being fully licensed, I built the youth treatment program at Okanogan Behavioral Healthcare, where I assisted youth and adults with substance use disorder needs. In 2012 I completed my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, specializing in the treatment of substance abuse. I am currently finishing my Master’s program in Psychology with an emphasis in substance abuse, which I started in 2019. I am currently working with the Colville Tribal Behavioral Health program as a Mental Health Professional. I have a certification in peer counseling and for a period worked for the WISE program (wraparound with intensive services). WISE is a program designed to support children who are one step away from hospitalization with a team approach. I loved working with schools, parents or guardians and legal systems while with this program. Helping kids remain safely at home and stable emotionally and mentally was very fulfilling.  
I am trained and skilled in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Aggression Replacement Training, Moral Recognition Training, in-patient and out-patient treatment, peer support counseling, harm reduction and general Substance Use disorders in many capacities. It is my firm belief that there is no separation between mental health and substance abuse, they co-occur in all cases. The journey I take with clients is to help them find their personal healing and happiness, wherever that might lead.