Dr. Michelle Williams-Alden is passionate about bringing healing and hope to our nation's most vulnerable children who have been traumatized by abuse, neglect or abandonment. Dr. Williams-Alden has a big heart for kids, especially those who are struggling or often misunderstood. Michelle, once a foster child, understands first-hand, attachment related trauma and childhood abuse. She was adopted at 6 years old and then after forty years, reunited with her biological siblings and mother. She believes that a child's family is key in restoring hope and safety and resolving past hurts and disappointments. She has spent years studying best practices for children and trauma, learning about the incredible healing power of the brain, and working in the trenches with families in crisis. From this great wealth of information, she has developed the HF Family Program (HFFP)--an intensive in-home program that is available to individual families and agencies across the US.
EDUCATION
2022 Doctor of Human Services - Leadership and Organizational Management; graduated with distinction (Capella University)
2012 Master of Science in Human Services; specialization in marital, couple and family counseling/therapy; graduated with distinction (Capella University)
1988 Bachelor’s Degree in religious education with emphasis on psychology (NNU)
EXPERIENCE
2019 HF Family Program: provided to agencies
2014 New Beginnings Adoption Agency and Casey Family - contracted to help families with adoption and long-term foster care
2013 Department of Juvenile Corrections (Ada & Canyon County) - contracted with HF
2013 Recovery for Life (Caldwell) - piloted HFFP
2013 HF Family Program: intensive in-home program provided to families
2013 Family Intervention Plan by Dr. Ron Federici, ABPN - Qualified Trainer
2012 Opened Healthy Foundations: Youth and Family Support Center
2010-2012 Intermountain Hospital - Internship; Methodist Counseling Center Intern
2005-2007 Basin School District - Paraprofessional, IBI Specialist, Mandt instructor
2002-2012 The Isaiah Foundation (Isaiah’s Ranch) - Founder and Director
2001-2012 Royal Family Kids Camps and Training - Co-director (locally and internationally)
TRAININGS/CERTIFICATIONS
2018 Equine Assisted Psychotherapy certified in Family and Individual EAP
2017 Family Trauma In Home Specialist Training/Certification
2014 Handle with Care Safety Training - Train the Trainers (current)
2013 Starting Over with Heather Forbes and Dr. Ron Federici: helping families with
out-of-control behaviors and stopping violence in the home
2013 From Hurt to Hope: Understanding Complex Trauma, Adversity & Resilience
2013 Royal Family Camp Director Training: Helping Foster Children Heal From Abuse
2012 Idaho Post Adoption Center Conference: workshops on trauma and healing through connection
2008 Girls Circle - ages 9-14, facilitator
2007 Strengthening Families Program Leadership training
2006 Intensive Behavior Intervention (IBI--now ABA) Specialist
2006 Mandt Trainer
ACCOMPLISHMENTS & AWARDS
2014 Third novel published - A Soft Place to Land
2012 Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute’s Angels in Adoption™ for Idaho
2011 Idaho Business Women of the Year
2011 Two novels published about faith, family and adoption - Southern Blend & From the Inside Out (that latter is highly recommended to pre- and post- adoptive Families through the Wednesday's Child program in Idaho)
2007 Outstanding Service Award - Isaiah’s Ranch (The Isaiah Foundation, Inc)
EDUCATION
2022 Doctor of Human Services - Leadership and Organizational Management; graduated with distinction (Capella University)
2012 Master of Science in Human Services; specialization in marital, couple and family counseling/therapy; graduated with distinction (Capella University)
1988 Bachelor’s Degree in religious education with emphasis on psychology (NNU)
EXPERIENCE
2019 HF Family Program: provided to agencies
2014 New Beginnings Adoption Agency and Casey Family - contracted to help families with adoption and long-term foster care
2013 Department of Juvenile Corrections (Ada & Canyon County) - contracted with HF
2013 Recovery for Life (Caldwell) - piloted HFFP
2013 HF Family Program: intensive in-home program provided to families
2013 Family Intervention Plan by Dr. Ron Federici, ABPN - Qualified Trainer
2012 Opened Healthy Foundations: Youth and Family Support Center
2010-2012 Intermountain Hospital - Internship; Methodist Counseling Center Intern
2005-2007 Basin School District - Paraprofessional, IBI Specialist, Mandt instructor
2002-2012 The Isaiah Foundation (Isaiah’s Ranch) - Founder and Director
2001-2012 Royal Family Kids Camps and Training - Co-director (locally and internationally)
TRAININGS/CERTIFICATIONS
2018 Equine Assisted Psychotherapy certified in Family and Individual EAP
2017 Family Trauma In Home Specialist Training/Certification
2014 Handle with Care Safety Training - Train the Trainers (current)
2013 Starting Over with Heather Forbes and Dr. Ron Federici: helping families with
out-of-control behaviors and stopping violence in the home
2013 From Hurt to Hope: Understanding Complex Trauma, Adversity & Resilience
2013 Royal Family Camp Director Training: Helping Foster Children Heal From Abuse
2012 Idaho Post Adoption Center Conference: workshops on trauma and healing through connection
2008 Girls Circle - ages 9-14, facilitator
2007 Strengthening Families Program Leadership training
2006 Intensive Behavior Intervention (IBI--now ABA) Specialist
2006 Mandt Trainer
ACCOMPLISHMENTS & AWARDS
2014 Third novel published - A Soft Place to Land
2012 Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute’s Angels in Adoption™ for Idaho
2011 Idaho Business Women of the Year
2011 Two novels published about faith, family and adoption - Southern Blend & From the Inside Out (that latter is highly recommended to pre- and post- adoptive Families through the Wednesday's Child program in Idaho)
2007 Outstanding Service Award - Isaiah’s Ranch (The Isaiah Foundation, Inc)