Michelle Miller, Ph.D., LCSW, LCPC

Director, NCA Institute for Better Mental Health Outcomes

Dr. Michelle Miller, child-serving therapist and national expert on youth mental health and trauma treatment

Michelle Miller is the Director of the NCA Institute for Better Mental Health Outcomes, a project of National Children’s Alliance (NCA). At the head of the NCA Institute she leads national efforts to improve mental health outcomes for children and families served by Children’s Advocacy Centers (CACs). With more than 33 years of experience in the child abuse field and nearly a quarter-century as a child-serving trauma therapist, Michelle is recognized as a national expert on youth mental health, particularly as it relates to children who have experienced trauma. 

Earlier in her career, Michelle served as the founding director of Montana’s first NCA-accredited CAC and as the founding board chair of the Treasure State’s NCA-accredited State Chapter organization. In those roles, she directed clinical services, conducted forensic interviews, coordinated multidisciplinary teams, and taught new professionals at the Montana Forensic Interview Academy. She also provided peer reviews for forensic interviewers at CACs across the state. 

Since joining NCA in 2016, Michelle has led numerous large-scale training initiatives, including national site recruitment, training delivery, data collection, and publication development. She has also served as Co-Principal Investigator on grants funded by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), including a randomized controlled trial conducted in partnership with the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. 

Michelle holds a Ph.D. in Psychology and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor. She is committed to advancing research, training, and evidence-based practices that enhance the care and mental health outcomes of children and families affected by trauma.