Michele Salazar

GRADUATE-LEVEL COUNSELING Practicum

Michele has always been drawn to roles that allow her to support others in meaningful and practical ways. This calling initially led her to law school, where she has spent many rewarding years practicing law and advocating for clients. While she continues to value and remain engaged in her legal work, she also recognized that the most fulfilling moments of her career were the times spent meeting with people, listening to their stories, and helping them navigate difficult situations. That insight inspired her to expand her professional path to include the counseling profession—broadening her ability to build supportive, healing-centered relationships with clients.

Michele finds deep purpose in helping individuals gain clarity, lighten emotional burdens, and experience growth during challenging seasons of life. She believes in the profound impact that compassionate guidance can have on those seeking to heal or move in a new direction. Her own journey through significant life transitions strengthened her appreciation for the transformative power of counseling and deepened her commitment to walking alongside others as they pursue restoration and resilience.

Drawn to many facets of mental health counseling, Michele is particularly passionate about supporting women who are rediscovering their identities, navigating major life changes, or healing from experiences that disrupted their sense of stability or self-worth. She is devoted to empowering clients to recognize their strengths, define themselves beyond external roles, and cultivate confidence as they move forward.

Michele approaches her professional development with openness and curiosity. Her legal career taught her that paths often unfold in unexpected but meaningful ways, and she embraces the opportunity to grow, learn, and explore new areas within the counseling field. Whether practicing law, providing counseling, or integrating both perspectives, her guiding purpose remains constant: to help people live healthier, more constructive lives as the best version of themselves.

Outside of work, Michele enjoys spending time with her three adult children, traveling, exploring the outdoors, and caring for her menagerie of animals, which includes four dogs and two cats. Originally from Erie, Pennsylvania, she has called Memphis home for more than thirty years. Michele’s faith continues to be an important source of grounding and inspiration in both her personal life and her work with clients.

Education

Master of Science in Counseling: Clinical Mental Health - The University of Memphis (in progress)

Juris Doctor - Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, Cleveland State University

Master of Arts in English as a Second Language - The University of Memphis

Bachelor of Arts in English, Concentration in British Literature - The University of Memphis