Mikayla Bavaro earned her Bachelors of Social Work from Calvin University and is currently finishing her Masters of Social Work at Aurora University, where she focused her program on studying substance use disorders. Mikayla’s background experience includes work with at-risk youth, survivors of human trafficking and domestic violence, acute psychiatric patients, and community organizing. 

 

Mikayla enjoys working with teens and adults with a variety of clinical concerns, including but not limited to depression, anxiety, substance abuse, relationships, and life transitions. She has also developed a special interest in working with children dealing with emotional difficulties using Child Centered Play Therapy, a nondirective, evidence-based model developed by Virginia Axline. She utilizes CCPT techniques to develop her clients’ sense of autonomy and build emotional regulation skills. Mikayla identifies as a Christian and has a passion for working with clients from all religious backgrounds, including Abrahamic and Eastern traditions. Mikayla is not theologically trained but focuses therapy on helping clients integrate their values and beliefs into their healing process.

 

Mikayla brings a person-centered approach to therapy, where she creates a safe environment that is warm and inviting. She believes in meeting clients where they are to make them feel seen, heard, and unconditionally accepted. Mikayla holds an emotion-focused, psychodynamic perspective in therapy sessions and frequently researches evidence-based practices. She challenges clients to get to the root of a problem while teaching practical skills as they walk through everyday situations. Mikayla is eager to learn from her clients and tailor therapy to their individual goals.

 

In her spare time, Mikayla enjoys cooking, spending time with her family, friends, and cats, and drinking high-quality coffee.