I think I'm constantly in a state of adjustment.
-Patti Smith
Hello There
My name is Michelle Harwell and I am a Relational Psychoanalyst and founder of The Alamo Psychotherapy & Training, a depth-oriented practice nestled in the creative urban villages of Highland Park and Eagle Rock in Northeast Los Angeles.
I specialize in early life and developmental trauma across the lifespan. Whether I am working with a parent and child, a couple, or an individual, I am trained to listen for your deepest hopes and longings buried beneath all the protective armor and strategies you have developed throughout your journey. I work to help my patients find the creativity and vitality to live a courageous and vulnerable life.
As a training and supervising psychoanalyst, I train clinicians through a unique integration of contemporary psychoanalytic principles and the humanities, believing that our reverence for theory must live alongside a deep humility and respect for the complexity of the human story. I am the author of numerous papers and my writing interests are centered on the interior process of the analyst.
Whether you are a potential client, clinician, or fellow curious cat, reach out, let’s start a conversation!
-Michelle
EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE
EDUCATION:
PsyD in Psychoanalysis, Institute for Contemporary Psychoanalysis 2017
M.S. in Marriage and Family Therapy, Fuller Theological Seminary 2008
M.A. in Theology, Fuller Theological Seminary, 2005
B.A. in English Literature, University of Oklahoma 2002
TEACHING EXPERIENCE:
Training and Supervising Analyst and Faculty:
Newport Psychoanalytic Institute 2023-Present
Institute for Contemporary Psychoanalysis 2019-Present
ICP Saturday Series Facilitator and Instructor 2021-2023
Supervisor and Clinical Trainer:
The Alamo Psychotherapy and Training 2013-Present
Director of Clinical Training, Supervisor and Program Development, Greenhouse Therapy Center 2009-2013
INFANT MENTAL HEALTH:
Infant Mental Health Consultant, Elizabeth House 2012-2016
DIR/Floortime Expert Trainer and Supervisor 2008-Present
Neurorelational Framework Curriculum Committee and Leadership for the Shared Parenting Pilot Program 2010-2014
Co-Leader of Building Forever Families Adoption Support Group 2008-2014
LEADERSHIP:
IAPSP 2025 Conference Co-Chair 2023-Present
Board Member ICPLA 2019-2022
Program Committee Chair ICPLA 2022-2024
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS:
The International Association of Psychoanalytic Self-Psychology
Newport Psychoanalytic Institute
The Institute for Contemporary Psychoanalysis
The International Association for Relational Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy
PUBLISHED WORKS:
Harwell, M. (2019) Working Through the Unconscious Assumption of Neglect. Psychoanalytic Inquiry 39:358-366
Andrea Davis, Michelle Harwell, Lahela Isaacson. (2011) Floortime Strategies to Promote Development in Children and Teens
PROFESSIONAL PRESENTATIONS:
Harwell, Michelle (2024) When We are Undone: Exploring Moments of Vulnerability, Surrender,
and Creative Transformation within the Analyst, IAPSP, Rome, Italy
Harwell, Michelle (2024) Divided We Sit: Enemies in the Treatment Room, IFPE, Seattle, WA
Harwell, Michelle (2024) A God’s Eye View: The Evangelical Patient on the Couch ICPLA, Los Angeles, CA
Harwell, Michelle (2023) When We are Undone: Exploring Moments of Vulnerability, Surrender,
and Creative Transformation within the Analyst, ICPLA, Los Angeles, CA
Harwell, Michelle (2020) The Emerging Clinical Mind: An Intimate Dialogue within the Supervisory Matrix, IARPP, Los Angeles, CA
Harwell, Michelle (2019) Thresholds of Belonging: Generosity, Hospitality, Forgiveness in Clinical Practice and Beyond,
Psychology and the Other, Boston, MA
Harwell, Michelle (2019) The Emerging Clinical Mind: An Intimate Dialogue within the Supervisory Matrix, SEPI, Lisbon, Portugal
Harwell, Michelle (2017) Working Through the Unconscious Assumption of Neglect, ICPLA, Los Angeles, CA
Harwell, Michelle (2012) Promoting Attachment Through Play-Part II, Children’s Law Center, Los Angeles, CA
Harwell, Michelle (2012) Adoption, Identity, and the Brain, Vietnamese Heritage Camp, Estes Park Colorado
Harwell, Michelle (2012) Attachment 101, Michelle Harwell Therapy, Los Angeles, CA
Harwell, Michelle (2012) Promoting Attachment Through Play, Children’s Law Center, Los Angeles, CA
Harwell, Michelle (2012) Identifying Attachment Patterns in The Therapy Room. Occidental College, Los Angeles, CA
Harwell, Michelle (2011). Improving Intervention and Coaching Techniques with the Dyad.
Workshop conducted at Greenhouse Therapy Center.
Harwell, Michelle (2010). Creating Secure Connections in Foster/Adoptive Families Using DIR/Floortime.
Workshop conducted at Kinship Center/5 Acres.
Harwell, Michelle (2010). The Struggle to Find Self: Inside the Adoptive Child's Journey Towards Identity.
Workshop conducted at Christian Assembly, Los Angeles, CA.
Harwell, Michelle (2010). Case Presentation: DIR C-1 Certification
Workshop conducted at Southern California Regional Institute, Los Angeles, CA.
Harwell, Michelle (2010). Introduction to DIR/Floortime: Promoting Attachment through Play.
Workshop conducted at Kinship Center/5 Acres.
Harwell, Michelle (2010) DIR in the Classroom. Full-day Preschool Staff Training.
Palmdale Unified School District, Palmdale, CA.
Harwell, Michelle (2010). When Two Plus Two Equals Five: Making the Foster/Adoption Transition.
Workshop conducted at Christian Assembly, Los Angeles, CA.
Harwell, Michelle (2009). The I in DIR: Incorporating the Child's Individual Differences into Floortime Goals and Methods.
Workshop conducted at Buonora Child Development Center Reseda, CA.
Harwell, Michelle (2009). What to Expect When You’re Adopting?: The Impact of Expectation and Loss in the Adoptive Family.
Workshop conducted at Christian Assembly, Los Angeles, CA.
Harwell, Michelle (2009). Building a Secure Foundation: Attachment 101.
Workshop conducted at Christian Assembly, Los Angeles, CA.
Harwell, Michelle (2010). Case Presentation: DIR B Certification
Workshop conducted at DIR Summer Institute, Pacific Grove, CA.
WHEN PEOPLE TALK, LISTEN COMPLETELY. MOST PEOPLE NEVER LISTEN.