Michelle Marchese

Michele Marchese holds the roles of Adjunct Assistant Professor and Professional Education Instructor at Smith College School for Social Work. They also serve as Director of the Smith College Counseling Service during the academic year and operate a private practice in Northampton, Massachusetts, specializing in trauma processing therapy for queer and historically marginalized communities. Their professional background includes supervisory roles at The Trauma Institute and the Veterans Administration PTSD program, emphasizing trauma healing and liberation-centered approaches.

• Education:
• B.A., Rhode Island College
• M.S.W., Smith College School for Social Work
• Ph.D. candidate at Smith College School for Social Work

Research Interests: Michelle’s work focuses on Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) for race-based traumatic stress, gender-related trauma, dissociation, and mental health interventions for marginalized communities. Their published and presented work addresses intersections of trauma, identity, and clinical practice.

Teaching & Leadership: They teach in the Advanced Clinical Supervision Certificate Program and have designed curricula emphasizing culturally responsive trauma therapy. Their private practice and institutional roles reflect a commitment to decolonizing mental health frameworks and centering client liberation.

Professional Experience: Includes supervision at The Trauma Institute, community mental health clinics, and veteran-focused PTSD programs. Their practice integrates somatic, relational, and evidence-based modalities to address complex trauma.