Michael Ansley

For Michael Ansley, healing happens when mind, body, and spirit come back into balance. As a Registered Clinical Social Worker Intern and Lead Therapist, Michael offers a calm, grounded space for clients to reconnect with themselves and release the limiting beliefs that keep them stuck in survival. His approach is rooted in presence, compassion, and curiosity — not fixing, but allowing healing to unfold naturally.

Michael integrates evidence-based therapies such as EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), TF-CBT (Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), and Neurofeedback with experiential and somatic modalities including Vibroacoustic Sound Therapy, SoundSelf immersive meditation, and mindfulness-based movement practices. This holistic blend helps regulate the nervous system, release trauma stored in the body, and gently shift negative cognitions toward self-trust, safety, and resilience.

Therapy with Michael often takes place beyond four walls. He brings the healing process outdoors — through mindful walks, beach sessions, or experiential activities like surfing, fishing, volleyball, and pickleball — creating opportunities for clients to rediscover joy, connection, and confidence through nature and movement. These moments invite clients to experience regulation, teamwork, and laughter as integral parts of recovery and self-discovery.

Michael’s work embodies the belief that transformation happens when all parts of the self are invited to heal — the logical mind, the emotional body, and the deeper spirit that seeks meaning. His role is to hold space where clients feel safe enough to let go of what no longer serves them and open to what’s possible.

Outside of his role at Design Recovery, Michael continues this mission through Open Air Wellness and the Revive & Thrive Tribe, offering retreats and workshops that blend clinical depth with holistic healing — from sound baths and Qigong to vibroacoustic and SoundSelf sessions.

At the heart of his philosophy is a simple truth: healing doesn’t happen through force, but through connection — with ourselves, with others, and with the world around us. When we align mind, body, and spirit, recovery becomes more than an outcome; it becomes a way of life.