20 Under 40: Michelle Gibson

Meet Michelle Gibson, 37, owner, CEO and psychotherapist at Gibson & Associates and one of our 20 Under 40 Class of 2024 recipients

AS OWNER AND psychotherapist at Gibson & Associates, Michelle Gibson balances leadership, innovation and hands-on client care, and has taken her business from solo practice to a thriving group with 26 dedicated team members. From setting strategic visions and mentoring her team to maintaining a personal practice of about a dozen clients weekly, she is committed to fostering healing and growth. Passionate about mental health advocacy, she transformed personal challenges into a platform for change — building programs, workshops and initiatives that empower and inspire individuals to reclaim their narratives and pursue their dreams.

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What would you say is your single biggest business achievement, and why?

This is a tough one; it all feels like one step leads to another. If I were to choose one, it would be the ability to grow my practice from a solo business to taking on team members and seeing the potential in collaboration, building a community and dreaming together. Everything that has come after stems from this change.

What is your biggest ambition?

My biggest ­ambition is to offer myself and my daughter more than I had growing up and to be a great role model for her. I want her to see what women can accomplish, to dream big and to know she has me in her corner. The more I live my dreams and values, the more space I hope to create for her to dream for herself.

Let’s say you’re marooned on a desert island — what’s the one thing you need with you?

A good and long book!

What’s one unexpected thing you like to tell people about your job?

The most common reaction I receive from people when I say I am a therapist is, ‘That must be so hard,’ and it can be. We hold space for the most painful human experiences, but we also assist our clients in finding a way through what they hold. There is so much hope and joy in what we do as well. People are often surprised when I say I get energy from my work.

Knowing what you know now, what advice would you give to your younger self?

Everything you need is within yourself. I spent so much time externally focused, and I wish I could let my younger self know to turn that gaze inward.

What’s your guilty pleasure?

I don’t believe in guilty pleasures because I don’t feel all that guilty about it — but it is Taco Bell. The Cheesy Gordita Crunch is my go-to order, and it never disappoints me. Interview by Kieran Delamont