Vivian Aranda-Michel

Psychologist

Tigard Office

PsyD

I take great honor in creating environments in which the parent’s and child’s concerns are explored to begin the collaboration, skill- building, and goal-setting required for positive outcomes, self-efficacy, and empowerment. I enjoy working in an integrated practice where comprehensive and compassionate care addresses physical, emotional, and behavioral needs.

About me

After completing her Pediatric Nurse Practitioner training at the University of Cincinnati, OH, Dr. Aranda- Michel decided to pursue her dream of working as a Clinical Psychologist. She enrolled in Xavier University’s Doctor of Clinical Psychology program and completed her Pre-Doctoral internship at Nationwide Children’s hospital, OH, where she further gained specialized skills in pediatric and child psychology. Dr. Aranda-Michel’s Post-Doctoral training was completed in Florida at Keystone Behavioral Pediatrics, where she worked with children in a community setting, as well as a specialized private school, to further consolidate training in psychological assessments and treating children with neurodevelopmental disorders, such as Autism Spectrum Disorders and behavioral and learning challenges associated with various genetic conditions.

Dr. Aranda-Michel uses a variety of evidence based behavioral health interventions to assess, treat, and support children and teens experiencing chronic medical conditions, anxiety, depression and ADHD, as well as body focused repetitive behaviors (BFRB), Selective Mutism, and behavioral challenges common in the developing years. Moreover, she offers an array of comprehensive psychological assessments and evaluations to aid in diagnoses, such as learning challenges, ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorders, and transgender evaluations. Her overall goal with these evaluations is to generate clinical recommendations to support a young person’s adjustment, social and emotional growth, and to achieve success, both at home and at school. Dr. Aranda-Michel practices in our Tigard office.

Interests

Come rain or shine, Dr. Aranda-Michel is always ready to embrace the great outdoors and does not shy away from snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef, hiking Denali National park, or just enjoying a neighborhood bike ride to keep fit with her family. She will never complain of the Portland rain, because that usually means it’s snowing on the mountains and ski season has started.

Dr. Aranda-Michel maintains an active family life, made more so by the addition of the family’s labradoodle puppy, “Ollie.” Her family enjoys laughing, playing “Rummikub,” cooking and sharing great meals together. She makes a monthly effort to perfect paella recipes, and strives for the elusive crusty crispy bottom of the paella, the “socarrat.” She is always eager to learn and try out new recipes from around the world.

Family

Dr. Aranda-Michel grew up in Australia, which she calls her childhood home, and she has lived and worked in three countries- Australia, Mexico and the US. Coming from the land “down under” created a thirst for adventure and a yearning to explore different cultures. While she still misses vegemite, cricket, Pavlovas and meat pies, her love of traveling takes her to new, diverse, and exciting places. She has overcome her fear of really long airplane flights because she knows, at the end, a great adventure usually awaits, as well as a good night’s sleep.