Michele, Director of Counseling at The Retreat
I had the pleasure of starting my work with the Retreat in 1998, my first year of graduate school. I worked as a shift worker in the shelter for one year and had the amazing opportunity to work so closely with clients, supporting them with their day-to-day needs while they resided at the shelter. I had to transition out once I reached my 2nd year of graduate school, as I was completing my Master’s thesis. Interestingly, my work at The Retreat prompted me to choose to focus my thesis in this field; it was titled, “Child Witnesses: The Silent Victims of Domestic Violence.”
Several years out of graduate school, an opportunity to work as a clinician opened up at the Retreat, and I worked for the next 7+ years supporting children, teens, and adults impacted by domestic violence and rape/sexual assault. I worked out of the shelter as well as the offices in East Hampton, Southampton, and Riverhead. I loved the clinical work that I was able to do on a daily basis with the clients of The Retreat.
In 2010, a professional opportunity arose that led to my relocation to New York City and work for over ten years at an amazing non-profit cancer support organization. Although I truly loved my work in New York, I kept my eye on The Retreat over the years to see if any job openings arose that would be a good fit for me to potentially return; that time finally arose in May of this year, when the Director of Counseling position became available. I have always been drawn to The Retreat and this opportunity seemed to be such a good fit for me at this point in my career. I have the pleasure of working with such an amazing team of clinicians who truly make such a positive impact in the lives of our clients.
I look forward to my continued work at the Retreat and am so proud to be a part of this special organization once again.
The Retreat provides free supportive counseling for adults and children in individual, group, and family settings. Our counselors, specifically trained in domestic violence and sexual assault crisis intervention, assist clients in taking back control of their lives to move forward after abuse and trauma. For information on receiving counseling, call our 24-hour hotline, 631-329-2200.
