Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelle Vann Horton.
Hi Michelle, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
There are two key moments in my life that undoubtedly shaped my identity and have influenced who I’ve become. They taught me that I would never fit into everyone’s box.
The first happened when I moved to Mexico as a child. Children in the neighborhood would yell “Wor-Wee-Shon!” at me. At the time, I did not know what it meant, but later I learned they were referencing the commercials about African children from the nonprofit organization, World Vision. In their minds, seeing a Black girl in their Mexican community meant I must be from that world because there was no way I was a part of theirs. That experience revealed the contradictions I lived—half Black, half Mexican, moving between cultures and classes, never fully belonging in one box. Ni de Aqui, Ni de Alla.
The second defining moment happened in middle school. I sat down for lunch to join a group of girls I knew I didn’t really fit in with. The second I sat down, they all stood up in unison and walked away. Like a scene straight out of “Mean Girls.” People were looking and I didn’t know what to do. I just sat there and surrendered to the truth: they weren’t my friends, and I did not belong in their box. That day, something in me shifted and became clear. I realized how terrible it felt to shrink myself and try to earn a place where I wasn’t welcomed. I never wanted to experience the disgust of contorting myself to make people like me again. It was then when my lifelong journey of self-love and self-acceptance truly began.
Self-love is not a one-time accomplishment; it is a lifelong journey. I eventually learned that the work comes and goes in cycles. You grow, then revisit. You heal, then re-heal. I am proud of my younger self for the courage to take on such a role, but I also recognize it is something I will work on for the rest of my life. My lived experiences drove me to build an authentic identity based on who I am, not who others think I should be. And that authenticity is one of the strongest foundations of my character.
My childhood required me to take on responsibilities far beyond my years. With a mother who relied on me to translate important matters connected to the English-speaking world, I became the one who asked questions, sought knowledge, and figured things out. This taught me how to explore options and think creatively, but most importantly it taught me how imperative gaining knowledge was. I became resourceful out of necessity, but curiosity and learning became the bridge to dreaming far beyond what my environment told me was possible.
Education became my path to empowerment, despite being told I would not succeed—because I was a single mother, because I was low-income, because I was a non-traditional student. Every academic milestone reinforced my capability and was proof to myself and others, that I did not have to fit into any box, even in academia. I kept moving forward and consistently defied my own expectations. Each step was an act of faith, echoing my truth: I am good enough, I am smart enough and it is 100% OK if I don’t fit into a box. My journey hasn’t been about fitting in; it has continually been about becoming who I was meant to be.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Overall, my story has been about defying the odds, the labels, and the boxes stacked against me. I continue to move forward despite the barriers before me. The same tools that carried me through my hardest moments are the ones that continue to propel me today. What I’ve learned is that the fight never truly ends. You simply get better at meeting life with truth, humility, and courage. Each accomplishment came with sacrifices, a cost only I truly know. And part of my growth has been accepting that no one else needs to understand that cost. The journey, the pain, the resilience—is mine. That private truth is both a secret and a source of strength. It is the reminder of how far I’ve come and the steady voice inside me that says, “You can do this!”
The grit I carry, the invisible scars only I can see, are my guiding light. Somehow, the raw emotions and wounds of my past transformed into a fire-like energy, which keeps me grounded, motivated, and capable of facing whatever comes next. Looking back, every paradox, every painful moment, and every unlikely opportunity shaped me into who I am today. Someone authentic, resilient, and committed to helping others find self-love and self-acceptance.
We’ve been impressed with The Practice Of Healing, PLLC, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
My lived experiences are at the heart of my clinical approach. Shaping me into a psychotherapist rooted in empathy, curiosity, and compassion. I strive to create the kind of nonjudgmental space I’ve always needed myself. It is from that place that I founded The Practice of Healing, PLLC, in 2021, during a season of profound transition for everyone. I help clients narrate their stories from a curious explorer perspective. Being kind, honest, and accepting of oneself. I validate their feelings and help them recognize their strength, resiliency, and courage they often dismiss. It has been one of the greatest honors of my life to walk alongside people in their healing journey and to witness them reclaim their own stories with self-love and acceptance.
At The Practice of Healing, PLLC I provide individual therapy for adults (18 and up) and relationship therapy. My work is grounded from a strength-based perspective, implementing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) skills training, Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT), and trauma interventions like Brainspotting. Clients and colleagues consistently comment on my calm, grounding presence, my ability to build rapid rapport and my skillset to cultivate a sense of hope and agency in a therapeutic setting. I am known as an action-oriented psychotherapist: I ask real questions, I challenge stuck patterns, and I hold clients accountable to the change they say they want—always with tact, kindness, and genuine care.
In 2026, I am expanding my practice by integrating Neurofeedback (EEG biofeedback), an evidence-informed, innovative brain-based framework, which aligns with a bio-psycho-social approach. My goal is to look beyond presenting concerns and support clients in understanding the root of their physical, emotional, and cognitive experiences. Anxiety, migraines, sleep issues, weight struggles — they’re all connected. Meaningful and sustained change requires us to examine the entire system.
I often remind clients that the real work of therapy happens outside the therapy hour. What you eat, how you sleep, your stress environment, finances, relationships, and habits all shape your mental health. Therapy is the place where you gain awareness, learn new tools, and identify the patterns you’re ready to outgrow, but the transformation comes from your commitment to practicing these changes daily. This is why I intentionally named my business The Practice of Healing, PLLC. Healing is not a one-time breakthrough; it’s lifelong practice. A repetition. A daily decision. Consistent small steps can lead to massive change!
My hope is that readers understand that allowing yourself to be vulnerable in therapy can be the beginning of an entirely new chapter in your life. I am not meant to be everyone’s psychotherapist, no psychotherapist is. I encourage people to find the clinician they feel safe enough to tell the truth to. PsychologyToday.com is a wonderful place to explore psychotherapist bios, photos, specialties, and approaches to find that fit. Finding a psychotherapist is very much like dating, sometimes you meet the right one on the first try, and sometimes it takes a few tries to find the connection that feels right. What matters most is that you don’t give up on yourself. Healing is possible. Growth is possible. And with the right support, you can create a life that reflects the strength and courage you’ve been carrying all along.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
In many ways, what I call “luck” is really the meeting point between my own effort and a bigger plan at work. This interview feels exactly like that intersection! Call it God, the universe, or something spiritual, this both feels like a gift and a confirmation that the work I’ve done hasn’t gone unnoticed. My life has been shaped by doors I fought to open, doors that closed for my protection, and doors that opened exactly when I was ready. I am both the architect of my journey and the blessed receiver of opportunities aligned with divine timing. My humility and faith create a powerful, reassuring balance. Holding those two truths at once makes me feel whole and wise. This duality reflects the real story of how I’ve reached this point: through determination, openness, and faith working together. The heart of what life really is.
Pricing:
- Clinical Intake Assessment $210.00
- Individual therapy session $185.00
- Relationship therapy session $185.00
Contact Info:
- Website: https://michelle-vann-horton.clientsecure.me/
- Other: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/michelle-vann-horton-burlington-nc/872019
Image Credits
Ayo Onasanya
