About
Michelle Luken, DSc, OTR/L, BCMH
Founder, Canary & Willow Highly Sensitive Leader | Occupational Therapist Army Veteran | Mom | Wife
Hi, I’m Dr. Michelle Luken.
Welcome! I'm glad you're here.
If you consider yourself a highly sensitive or highly attuned person - or know someone who is - you are in good company.
For as long as I can remember, I've been in tune with the subtle nuances of my environment, keenly aware of social and emotional shifts, and innately adept at navigating complex interpersonal dynamics.
My mom would tell you that at a young age, I could quickly gauge the social and emotional “temperature” of a room and know what to say or do to help mediate uncomfortable situations.
These traits have deeply and intricately shaped who I am today and the course of my life, including my career as an occupational therapist, U.S. Army officer, and researcher.
Now, with nearly 4 decades of life and over 17 years of diverse professional experience, I've come to appreciate how my high sensitivity has shaped significant chapters of my life - in both empowering and humbling ways.
There were times, especially during my military service, when I felt pressured to conceal or minimize my innate qualities to conform to traditional, rigid expectations.
Reflecting on these moments has reinforced my commitment to empower others like me—particularly those working in high-stakes fields and structured environments.
My goal is simple: to help highly attuned individuals realize their full potential without second-guessing their worth and to assist teams and organizations in leveraging the unique strengths of their sensitive members.
Let’s transform together - starting today.
