- Stress and anxiety
- Parenting and anger
- Trauma and grief
About Michelle
Michelle Ely is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with licenses in California and Alaska and six years as an LCSW. She works with adults facing stress, anxiety, relationship and parenting concerns, and helps with anger, grief, depression, and life changes. Michelle also lists life purpose among her focuses and supports people dealing with workplace and identity shifts.
Before becoming an LCSW she spent many years in social work roles. That background informs how she structures sessions: practical, straightforward, and interactive. She aims to identify what is most pressing and to use interventions that fit the person’s situation.
Michelle describes her style as direct and respectful. She listens for strengths and uses them as starting points for change. Sessions often include talking through specific problems, practicing different ways of responding, and setting small, achievable goals.
She works with people coping with trauma and abuse and with concerns around intimacy, self-esteem, and compassion fatigue. Her additional focus areas include autism and Asperger syndrome, caregiver stress, blended family issues, veteran and armed forces issues, and women's issues.
People who come feeling stuck about career, relationship direction, or personal meaning will find a practical orientation in sessions. Michelle helps map options and sift through what matters next without promising particular outcomes. The first meeting is used to clarify immediate concerns and plan follow-up steps.
How evidence-based techniques are used online
Michelle draws on evidence-based therapeutic techniques to address specific problems in straightforward ways. For example, she may use cognitive approaches that help people identify and shift unhelpful thinking patterns that feed anxiety and low mood. These techniques focus on practical steps you can try between sessions to test what changes how you feel.She also uses behavioral strategies that focus on actions rather than only thoughts. That can include activity planning, behavioral experiments, and skills practice for managing anger or improving communication. These methods aim to break cycles that keep problems stuck and to build clearer options for next steps.
Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. Michelle will work with each person to identify goals, try techniques, and adjust methods based on what is most helpful. The plan can change as needs and priorities become clearer.
Session formats are not specified in the biography, so confirm current options before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy week, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and reduce travel time. Licensed professionals can adapt techniques for remote sessions so people can practice new skills in their everyday contexts.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Experience
6+ years
Listed in
California, Alaska
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does she help with?
She helps people with stress, anxiety, relationship and parenting concerns, plus anger, grief, depression, and coping with life changes.
How would she describe her therapeutic approach?
Her style is interactive and direct, using an eclectic mix of interventions chosen to match each person's needs and situation.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has six years as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and nearly three decades of prior professional social work experience.
Where is she licensed and based?
She holds LCSW credentials in California and Alaska and is located in Alaska.
Which languages are offered for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can people outside the United States work with her?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
How are sessions paid for and what do costs look like?
Cost varies by location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
What are the steps to begin working together?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger, use the crisis numbers.