Michelle Torbor, MA, LPC, NCC
Owner & clinical director

(205) 418-8171
michelle@cardinal-wellness.com

Meet Michelle

I'm Michelle Torbor, a Licensed Professional Counselor, with a private practice located in Birmingham, AL. My work as a therapist is inspired by my personal journey. 

This journey has cultivated a belief that each of us can be empowered from within to overcome challenges and experience freedom, even in the face of difficulty.

I am professional, yet enthusiastic and I believe that our personalities have a role in the collaborative counseling process. I counsel a variety of areas, but my focus includes personal growth, anxiety, depression, and treatment of trauma using Eye Movement Desensitization &  Reprocessing (EMDR).

My desire to be a counselor began with a quirky 90's sitcom, Ally McBeal, that grabbed my attention and sparked an interest into the world of mental health. I attended Auburn University to follow this dream and received a B.A. in Psychology. One year after graduation, I married my college sweetheart and soon after, we had our first child. I postponed my graduate education to stay home and care for my children. When I felt the timing was right, I attended Regent University and received a M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.

Today, my husband and I are parents to three boys. They keep me busy and engaged. Personal spirituality is of great importance to me, as well as being able to use my passion and enthusiastic spirit to help others find freedom. In my free time, I enjoy reading, watching movies, and spending time with friends and family.

My Approach

Communicating the depth of our personal emotion is difficult, yet necessary. Therefore, my first goal in counseling is establishing an authentic connection with clients, while offering an empathetic ear without judgement. I seek to address each story in a way that meets the client where they stand. I invite all clients to be true-spirited throughout the session. 

For many, the lack of hope and inability to find freedom lies in self-defeating thinking patterns and the residual distress of trauma. While I may use various theoretical approaches best suited to address your personal needs, I primarily use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR).  I work to encourage self-exploration, address self-talk, and develop self-acceptance so clients may experience and share their best selves.

American Counseling Association Member (ACA)

National Board Certified Counselor (NBCC, NCC)

EMDR Trained Therapist (EMDRIA Approved Training)