Counselor Spotlight: Teriz
Teriz Michael, LSW, talks art, kayaking, and living in Egypt.
Tell us a bit about yourself.
I was born in Cairo, then moved to Jersey City when I was seven years old and lived there until age 23. I went to college at the School of Visual Arts in New York City and spent my summers traveling throughout Egypt to take photographs for my paintings and enjoy the culture. While in Egypt, I painted murals in the Mokattam Cave Church on the outskirts of Cairo and built relationships with the locals from the Zabbaleen (Trash Collectors District).
Although I grew up in a Christian home, it was not until one of those college summers that I accepted Jesus Christ as my personal Savior. After college, I worked many different jobs, including time as a professional make-up artist and art teacher.
What was your journey to becoming a counselor?
The journey started when I sought therapy for myself and my daughter to cope with the stress of a cancer diagnosis. My counselors expressed that I had a gift for counseling and encouraged me to consider a career change from education. I received the same encouragement from church leaders and members. In my art classroom, students and other teachers found a safe space to be authentic and vulnerable. My principal recognized that my classroom and curriculum were therapeutic and had positive effects on student attitude and behavior. Soon after, God opened the door for me at Rutgers, where I completed my MSW and retrospectively saw how God was strategically leading me up to this point for His purpose.
What’s your favorite movie?
I can rewatch Elf multiple times a year! It’s light-hearted but still covers important topics like having child-like curiosity, forgiveness, presence, family, not taking yourself seriously, and taking risks.
What does your ideal day look like?
Sunny, warm weather, some humidity, gentle breeze, birds chirping, tree leaves rustling, good conversations, quiet time with God, fresh meals, hugs, clean and orderly environment, creativity, responsibilities, a walk, self-care, and downtime.
Do you have any pets?
I liked dogs until I dog-sat a golden doodle… I’ll stick with quiet, elegant, and independent cats. I have a gray and black tabby named Sunshine.
Cake or pie?
A slice of each, please and thank you.
What do you do for fun?
I enjoy art, kayaking, photography, movies, walks or hikes, time and activities with my family, meeting up with my girlfriends, reading, writing, and listening to a good sermon. I also like to propagate plants and give them out as gifts.
Describe your approach to counseling.
I use a psychodynamic approach integrated with CBT, DBT, and Solution-Focused therapy. My creativity and humor cultivate a light environment conducive to deep work, raw conversations, and a relationship of trust and compassion. Practicality is important—my clients will find that our time together fosters insight, practical skills, and effective strategies to implement during the week to decrease stress and increase functioning and wellness.
What areas of counseling are you most passionate about?
I absolutely love working with young adults, young professionals, and college-bound teens! I also have a heart for parents and people who work in service-oriented professions. I enjoy working with creative professionals and teachers as a career therapist—I’ve got a knowledge of the industry, the nuanced workplace dynamics, and the demands and delights of the profession.
Any advice for someone considering becoming a counselor?
Simply love people and be curious about them and their unique stories. Leave assumptions at home and actively listen—don’t be afraid to ask questions. Be comfortable with silence and letting others feel their feelings. Don’t try to fix clients. Let the Holy Spirit do His healing work in you and through you so that you can be an instrument of love, grace, and truth to your clients. Finally, be present in your own life experience—love deeply, be vulnerable, cry, be silly, and always remain in touch with the fullness of your own humanity.