- Attachment based care
- CBT and DBT skills
- Solution focused goals
About Michelle
Michelle Laughlin is a California licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) with four years of practice experience. She works with adults facing stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, low self-esteem, difficulty coping with life changes, and challenges around attention and focus. Michelle also lists related concerns such as abandonment, attachment issues, and problems with communication and control.
Her approach is practical and person-focused. She uses client-centered methods to listen first and shape sessions around what matters to the individual. Michelle combines that with cognitive behavioral techniques to spot patterns of thinking and DBT skills to manage strong emotions and stay regulated in the moment.
She also draws on attachment-based ideas to look at how early relationships affect current trust and connection. Solution-focused tools help set clear, short-term goals so progress can feel measurable and concrete. Sessions typically mix talk, skill practice, and collaborative planning.
Michelle aims to adapt conversations and the treatment plan to each person’s needs rather than follow a rigid script. She notes experience supporting people with issues like dissociation, domestic violence, blended family stress, fatherhood concerns, and first responder stress. The tone is direct and practical, focused on what can be done next.
To begin, Michelle asks people to use the platform’s matching steps and schedule an initial session after completing a short questionnaire. Costs vary by location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How therapeutic approaches are used in online sessions
Michelle often uses attachment-based ideas online to look at how early relationships shape current patterns of trust and closeness. This approach can help when shame or guilt comes from family or past relationships by naming patterns and trying new ways of relating. She also relies on client-centered practice, which means sessions begin with listening and letting the person guide what feels most urgent. That makes it easier to focus on whatever aspect of guilt or shame is most pressing.CBT is another common element she brings into remote work. CBT breaks down thoughts, feelings, and actions into manageable steps so someone can test unhelpful beliefs and try different behaviors between sessions. Together these approaches make it possible to address painful self-judgments while developing practical skills to manage strong emotions.
Finding the right mix of methods is part of the process. The therapist works collaboratively with the client to decide which approaches fit their goals and preferences, and adjustments are made as needed. For session logistics, confirm current session formats before booking since the biography does not list specific options. When offered, remote sessions can help fit therapy into daily life by reducing travel time, allowing shorter check-ins, and making it easier to schedule around work or caregiving obligations.
Areas of expertise
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
4+ years
Listed in
California
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does she help with?
She helps people with stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, self-esteem issues, coping with life changes, and attention and focus struggles.
How would she describe her therapeutic style?
She uses a client-centered stance that listens first, then blends practical methods like CBT and DBT to address thinking patterns and emotional regulation.
How much clinical experience does she have?
Michelle has four years of professional work experience as a clinician.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She is a California LCSW and practices in California.
Does she work in other languages or with international clients?
Sessions are offered in English and she is not accepting international clients.
What session formats are offered?
Please confirm current session options before booking, as formats are not specified in the biography.
How much do sessions cost?
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 or thinking about harming yourself, use the crisis numbers.