Marisa Bergfield (Michiels), PsyD

Preferred pronouns: She/They

Marisa Bergfield (Michiels), PsyD, is a clinical psychologist with Behavioral Medicine Services at Lifespan and the Norman Prince Spine Institute. She works in health psychology, which focuses on how biological, psychological, and social factors impact a person’s well-being.

Dr. Bergfield specializes in complex trauma, grief, and acute stress. She is passionate about providing culturally sensitive, trauma-informed therapy to individuals dealing with acute health concerns, chronic illness, and pain. Dr. Bergfield utilizes various therapeutic techniques, including acceptance and commitment therapy, liberation therapy, interpersonal therapy, emotion focused therapy, and internal family systems. She especially enjoys identity work, exploring how certain identities such as neurodiversity, religion, gender, sexuality, trauma, and intersectionality, and significant life changes impact sense of self.

Dr. Bergfield earned a doctorate and master’s degree in clinical psychology from Regent University, Virginia, and completed an internship at the University of Rochester Medical Center and a post-doctoral fellowship at Albany Medical College and Albany Medical Center. 

Dr. Bergfield has a background in advocacy, research, and nonprofit work. She has previously worked for the Ehlers-Danlos Society and Dysautonomia Support Network and is currently a member of the International Consortium on Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes (EDS) and Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders (HSD). She has a special interest in working with individuals with rare, underdiagnosed health conditions and has worked with numerous individuals with EDS, HSD, and comorbid conditions.