Michael Sleigh

Hi! My name is Michael Sleigh. I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and an AAMFT Clinical Fellow.

I believe in the importance of relationships and the power of understanding the specific context behind those relationships. My aim in therapy is to create a working relationship with you, based on support and comfort. In this place, we can process the areas of life together where you feel disconnected and uncomfortable.

I believe people are wonderfully complex and oriented toward growth. I trust you to bring a willingness to discover the ways you can live into your potential. Sometimes years of difficulty hide who we want to be, but I want to shine light into the dark spaces for a clearer vision of your situation. With this insight, we can develop a plan that works for you and discuss any roadblocks or obstacles that come up. Always, I’m here to encourage and support you as we work toward your goals.

I enjoy working with couples to manage conflict, bring calm to tension, and provide space to improve communication. I want to help you build skills that change your interactions and deepen your relationship. I often use Gottman methods and attachment theory to help you bring your whole self to your relationship and connect more intimately with your partner. I hope to help you eliminate what is not working but more importantly, to enrich your relationship by discovering the specific solutions that foster the thriving dynamic you want.

I also enjoy working with individuals experiencing uncertainty about change. Whether anxious about upcoming life changes, feeling down about the loss of something important, or struggling with life stage issues, I want to stay present with you to identify unhealthy themes, to give voice to your feelings; all to help you achieve the goals we identify for you. I often bring metaphor and humor into our conversations, and I love to incorporate an experimental mindset to help you discover what works for you. Ultimately, I aim to help bring calm to the chaos.

I come from a lineage of lifelong learners, and my interest in the counseling field started over a decade ago. I completed a B.A. in Social and Behavioral Studies at George Fox University in Portland, Oregon. I then chose to study marriage and family therapy because of its emphasis on relationships as vital to our well-being. I graduated with an M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy from the nationally accredited program at Pfeiffer University. I am also a certified facilitator in Prepare/Enrich and SYMBIS premarital assessments.

On a personal note, I was born in British Columbia, Canada, and grew up in the Pacific Northwest. I married the love of my life, and we moved from the West Coast to North Carolina in 2013. While living in the Triangle, we had three children. Since then, we relocated our family to central Oregon, where we ride bikes, play in the mountains, and paddle board on the river. When not outdoors, I love roasting and drinking coffee with friends, and researching cars.

I believe you and your relationships make the world a better place. I would love the opportunity to work with you to help you be confident in yourself and your relationships.

Please call (919) 587-8018 to inquire about Michael’s availability or request an appointment with Michael online and our Care Coordinator will get back to you asap.