- Depression and anxiety
- Mindfulness and ACT
- Emotion regulation skills
About Michelle
Michelle Pennella is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) practicing in New York with four years of clinical experience. She sees adults coping with depression, anxiety, trauma, grief, bipolar symptoms, and mood or personality concerns. Michelle also focuses on life purpose and issues that commonly appear during midlife and transitions.
Michelle works with people who feel stuck after changes in work, relationship, or health. She uses clear, practical steps rather than long theory talks. Sessions often involve noticing emotions, trying small experiments, and building steady coping habits.
Her approach draws from cognitive behavioral methods that look at thoughts and behaviors, mindfulness practices to steady attention, and acceptance-based ideas that help people notice what matters. Michelle also incorporates skills from dialectical behavior therapy for emotion regulation and from client-centered work that keeps the person's concerns at the center of sessions.
She often helps people break big problems into manageable pieces. That might mean creating an action plan for daily routines, testing new ways to communicate, or practicing short mindfulness exercises between sessions. Michelle describes therapy as collaborative; she works with each person to set goals and check progress.
People who come for help with emptiness, isolation, compulsive behaviors, or the strain of caregiving or aging will find a therapist who focuses on practical strategies. Her style is straightforward and task-focused, aimed at helping people find direction and steadier mood over time.
How therapeutic approaches shape online sessions
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on identifying personal values and taking committed action toward them. It helps people who feel stuck decide what matters and take small steps in that direction. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at thoughts and behaviors to reduce unhelpful patterns and build practical skills for mood and anxiety problems. Mindfulness Therapy teaches attention and awareness techniques that can reduce reactivity and improve emotional balance.Finding the right mix of approaches is part of the work. The therapist will collaborate with each person to figure out which methods fit their situation and goals. Sessions include checking in on progress, adjusting strategies, and agreeing on small, doable tasks to practice between meetings.
The specific session formats for this clinician are not listed here, so confirm current online session options before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy schedule, hold shorter check-in appointments when needed, and practice skills from home without extra travel time. Many people find that using therapy tools between sessions helps translate what is learned into daily life.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
4+ years
Listed in
New York
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does she address?
She works with depression, anxiety, trauma and grief, bipolar and other mood or personality concerns. She also supports people wrestling with life purpose, midlife changes, and isolation.
How would she approach feeling stuck or directionless?
She uses practical, collaborative methods like CBT, mindfulness, and ACT to clarify values and try small experiments. Sessions focus on steps you can take between meetings.
What is her background and experience?
She is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor with four years of experience working with adults across early adulthood to the 50s. Her work includes mood disorders, grief, and life transitions.
Where is she based and what is her credential?
She practices in New York and holds the credential LMHC, which stands for Licensed Mental Health Counselor.
Which languages are supported?
Sessions are offered in English.
Do international clients work with her?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
How are sessions paid for?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
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.