- Stress and anxiety
- Relationship and intimacy
- LGBT related issues
About Michelle
Michelle Winkel is a California-licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) with 25 years of professional experience. She works with adults facing stress, anxiety, LGBT concerns, relationship and intimacy-related issues, and people coping with life changes.
She focuses on listening to what matters to each person and helping them name the concerns they bring. Sessions are conversational and practical. Michelle encourages people to describe their situations and priorities in plain terms so they can identify small, useful steps forward.
Her practice includes a range of personal and interpersonal issues such as body image, attachment matters, communication problems, and family of origin concerns. She also addresses caregiver stress, chronic illness and pain, aging and geriatric issues, and end-of-life topics like hospice counseling.
Michelle aims to help people clarify what feels unsettled and to try approaches that reduce overwhelm and improve day-to-day functioning. Conversations may cover relationship patterns, intimacy questions, or the effects of identity and gender-related stressors. She works with people on concrete coping skills and clearer communication strategies.
Over her career she has supported people through transitions such as changes in work, relationships, health, and caregiving roles. Michelle practices in California and conducts sessions in English. To begin, prospective clients are invited to use the site's matching and scheduling tools to set up an initial appointment.
Therapeutic approaches and online session benefits
Michelle uses evidence-based therapeutic techniques focused on helping people reduce anxiety and manage life transitions. For example, approaches that focus on building coping skills teach practical tools for managing stress, such as step-by-step methods to reduce worry and improve daily routines. These techniques are useful when anxiety or overwhelm make it hard to get things done.She also works with methods that emphasize communication and attachment patterns. These approaches look at how people relate to others, how intimacy develops or stalls, and what changes in behavior might improve closeness and reduce conflict. They can help when relationship patterns feel stuck or when identity and gender-related stress affect interactions.
Finding the right approach is part of the work together. Michelle will help clients and therapists decide which methods match a person's needs, goals, and preferences. That collaborative process can involve trying different techniques and adjusting what is most helpful over time.
Confirm current session options before booking to know which formats are offered. In general, online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy schedule, reduce travel time, and allow shorter check-ins when needed. It also lets people meet with licensed professionals from their local region while arranging sessions around work, caregiving, or health constraints.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Additional focus areas
Experience
25+ years
Listed in
California
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does she address?
She works with stress, anxiety, LGBT issues, relationship and intimacy-related concerns, and people coping with life changes. Additional focus areas include caregiver stress, chronic illness, body image, and end-of-life topics.
How would she describe her therapeutic style?
She uses conversational, practical sessions that help people name their problems and try concrete steps. The emphasis is on clear discussion and usable coping strategies rather than abstract theory.
How much experience does she have?
She has 25 years of professional work experience as a clinician.
What is her credential and where is she based?
She is a California LMFT and practices in California.
Which languages are supported for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can international clients work with her?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
How are sessions arranged and what does it cost?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
What steps are needed 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.