Why Choose Hopes?
Hopes Helping Hands LLC was founded in 2017 by Michelle Christopher‑Harris, Ph.D., LCSW, with a vision to create a place where individuals and families could experience compassionate, professional, and spiritually grounded mental health support. What began as her personal mission has grown into a thriving practice licensed in four states with two physical locations, supported by a team of highly qualified therapists who share her commitment to healing and hope.
Our Story
Michelle brings more than 35 years of experience across diverse fields, including adoptions, corrections, developmental disabilities, mental health, and partner abuse. Her work has extended into higher education, where she taught sociology and social work at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) and Salisbury State University (SSU). She is also a respected international trainer on leadership and mental health topics, and her influence reaches both national and international audiences through her lectures and ministry.
Her educational background reflects her dedication to service and leadership:
• Associate of Arts in Theology
• Bachelor’s in Social work
• Master’s in Social work
• Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership, Health and Human Service
The Heart Behind the Mission
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Michelle is an ordained pastor, wife, mother, and grandmother. It was in her role as a grandmother that she recognized the need for a safe, nurturing space where children could express themselves freely and receive gentle, patient, and professional guidance. That insight became the foundation of Hopes Helping Hands LLC—a practice built on compassion, integrity, and the belief that healing is always possible.
What Guides Us
Hopes Helping Hands is grounded in four core principles that shape every interaction and service we provide:
• No one is beyond redemption.
• Love is the glue.
• Success is always possible.
• There is always hope.
These values continue to guide our work as we support individuals, couples, and families on their journey toward emotional wellness and personal growth.