About Mickie
Hi, I’m Mickie Way (she/her), a Clinical Social Work Intern (CSW-I) here at reTHINK Therapy.
One of the things I often say is: “Intention doesn’t always equal reality.” That phrase has stuck with me throughout my own mental health journey. As someone living with bipolar disorder, I know what it’s like to feel misunderstood—and I also know how powerful it can be to have someone sit beside you with compassion and curiosity instead of judgment. That’s why I do this work: I want to be the kind of therapist I needed in my own hardest seasons.
I grew up in a small mountain city in East Tennessee—classic “middle-of-nowhere farm town” —and I carry a deep love for nature and simplicity because of it. I’m one of six siblings, two of whom were adopted through foster care. My journey has taken me across the world and into a lot of self-discovery: coming out as queer at 20, studying abroad in Amsterdam, and even spending a couple years doing Vanlife (48 states!) and living in a rooftop tent on my Nissan Pathfinder with my now-wife, Shannon!
When I’m not in the therapy room, you can usually find me backpacking, hiking, or camping—anything that gets me outside and grounded. Nature is where I go to reset and reconnect, and I often find it parallels the therapeutic process: it’s unpredictable, beautiful, and sometimes really hard—but always somehow worth it. I also care deeply about housing insecurity and community belonging. Having lived out of a car for nearly two years, I understand the toll that instability takes on your body and soul. That lived experience shaped my belief that everyone deserves safety, dignity, and a sense of place. It’s why I’m so passionate about helping clients build inner stability, even when the world outside feels shaky.
How I Help
Therapy with me is honest, down-to-earth, and rooted in mutual respect. I’m not into surface-level chit-chat—I want to know the real you. Each session starts with a full-body check-in because your mental and physical health are deeply connected, and that gives us a chance to slow down and see what needs attention today. My role isn’t to hand you a list of things to fix—I’m here to support your goals, at your pace.
I want you to show up exactly as you are. That might mean tears, laughter, silence, venting, or even cursing (I’ll probably join you if the moment calls for it). I’ve lived a lot of life—and not much shocks me anymore. I know that most of what we label as “dysfunction” is actually just survival in disguise. So when we talk, I’m not wondering “What’s wrong with you?” —I’m curious about “What happened to you?” I view every client as a whole person shaped by their story, not defined by their struggles. I bring compassion, curiosity, and zero judgment to our work. Also, if you’re navigating depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, suicidality, or the instability of housing insecurity—you’re not alone. I’ve been there, too.
I’m all about setting realistic, bite-sized goals that actually feel doable—because let’s be real, healing isn’t always a straight line (and sometimes it’s annoyingly slow). I’ll help you build a reward system that actually supports your growth—no, eating, resting, brushing your teeth, or having a stable and loving community aren’t “treats,” they’re your basic needs as a human being. Rewards should feel good and earned, not shame-filled or unattainable.
One of my favorite therapy tools I’m trained in is something called Parts and Memory. Think the movie Inside Out—but grown-up! This approach helps us get curious about the different parts of you, especially the younger parts that may still be carrying pain. It’s a beautiful way to reconnect with your inner child and offer them the healing they didn’t get back then.
Whether you’re working through trauma, questioning your identity, feeling lost in your relationships, or just trying to make sense of why life feels so heavy—I’m here for all of it. You’re not broken, and I’m definitely not here to fix you. I’m here to walk with you and remind you that healing is possible—even when it feels hard!
More About Mickie
Education
Bachelor’s in Sociology with Minor in Humanities and Focus on Biblical Theology and Philosophy – Milligan University – 2019
Master’s in Social Work – University of Nevada, Las Vegas – 2025
credentials
Clinical Social Worker – Intern (CSW-I)
Parts and Memory Trained
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Training (ACT)
Reiki 2 Certified