Michelle Riley, MSW, LCSW

My name is Michelle Riley, and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker based physically out of Modesto, CA. I have been working in and around mental health services throughout Stanislaus County since 2001, when I began as one of the first peer volunteers for a local agency dedicated to supporting young adults in the mental health community.

Educational Background
I graduated with a BA in Psychology from California State University, Stanislaus in 2009. I enjoyed my time at CSU Stanislaus so much that I returned the following year to begin my journey through the Master of Social Work, where I was awarded a stipend through the Mental Health Services Act. After completing my academic coursework and gaining phenomenal training and experience through the internship process, I graduated with distinction with an MSW in May of 2012.

Work Experience
I’ve gained invaluable experience in a variety of settings, which have included an inpatient psychiatric hospital providing care to clients in acute mental health crisis, and an innovative correctional health care facility, providing mental health treatment to patients who were incarcerated. My experiences in such intense and clinically significant settings has provided me with a wonderfully unique opportunity to truly understand the human cost of the limited access to mental health care. They also motivated me to start what began as a small private practice, and has since evolved into a successful wellness venture.

Professional Development
My career is currently focused on developing and providing quality mental health treatment in the Central Valley. I currently specialize in post-traumatic stress disorder, as well as complex PTSD, using multiple evidence-based interventions. These include training in polyvagal theory, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET) and Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). I work with clients of varying ages, cultures, backgrounds, and treatment needs. I also presently provide clinical consultation and supervisory services to local agencies focused on community wellness, resilience, and empowerment principals. I have helped develop a small internship program and have supervised a trauma-informed mental health clinic serving victims of domestic violence, and I currently advise a wellness initiative for refugee women.

I thoroughly enjoy providing an educational experience for students working under my supervision. If any students have questions about internship opportunities, please contact me directly.

I am experienced in working with people from multiple cultures and backgrounds. I have assisted clients struggling with grief and loss, suicidal ideation, LGBTQIA issues and concerns, transitory crises, substance abuse issues, mood disorders, psychotic disorders, relationship concerns, and myriad other concerns which drive a person to seek out professional support and help at any given point in their lives.