Dr. Michelle Cutler (she/her/hers)

Dr. Cutler has a nurturing, yet directive style that helps children and families to feel at ease. Her passion lies in helping children emotionally heal, and helping parents to play an integral role in this process. Dr. Cutler typically uses Cognitive Behavioral and Play Therapy techniques, but her treatment approach will be tailored to what works best with your child. She values collaboration with clients, and sees behavioral and emotional challenges not as “pathology” or “problems to be fixed,” but within the context of developmental level, family relationships, and her clients’ community and experiences living with and managing multiple systems. Her conceptualizations are always informed by early on and ongoing attachment patterns, and she uses her relationship with clients to facilitate change.

Dr. Cutler has over twenty years of experience working with children and families. Dr. Cutler has specialized training and a particular passion for working with children and adolescents who have experienced physical and/or sexual abuse, neglect, or other trauma. She also enjoys working with children with attachment difficulties, including histories of foster care and adoption, and working with children and families who have experienced divorce. She also works with children coping with grief and loss, school difficulties, generalized anxiety and depression, and adjustment to other life stressors.

Dr. Cutler earned her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Toledo in 2001. She relocated to Chicago for her predoctoral internship at La Rabida Children’s Hospital, which included specialized training in the field of pediatric psychology, and children exposed to trauma. Dr. Cutler then completed a Postdoctoral Fellowship at the Chicago Children’s Advocacy Center (CCAC), where she worked with children and families who have experienced sexual abuse. Following the fellowship, Dr. Cutler helped to develop the Mental Health Program at the CCAC, where she continued to work with families providing therapy and crisis intervention, In her role at the CCAC, Dr. Cutler helped to develop the psychology training program, supervised and trained staff, students, and community members, and oversaw further program development.

Dr. Cutler began in private practice in 2007, and then expanded to a group practice, where she is now proud to be the practice owner and leader of a talented, enthusiastic, smart, and diverse team of clinicians at Rooted Connections Counseling. Dr. Cutler is also an Associate Professor at the Chicago School of Professional Psychology, where she teaches doctoral level courses including Child Trauma, Divorce and Child Custody, Trauma Theory and Practice, and Cognitive Behavioral Treatment. She provides consultation and supervision, and works with schools and community agencies as well.

Service Dr. Cutler provides:

• Therapy with children
• Therapy with adults (trauma-focused)
• Parent Child Interaction Therapy
• Parent Training
• Trauma Assessments for civil court claims
• Expert Testimony related to Child Trauma
• Community training and speaking (click here to view Dr. Cutler’s appearances on multiple podcasts and news outlets)

Dr. Cutler’s Contact Information:

773-417-6342 ext. 2005

mcutler@rootedconnectionscounseling.com