- LCSW in CT and NJ
- Bilingual English Spanish
- Evidence-based techniques
About Michelle
Michelle Santana is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) practicing in Connecticut with seven years of experience. She works with adults carrying stress, anxiety, low self-esteem, career questions, depression, and the challenges of life changes. She also addresses concerns like family of origin issues, attachment and abandonment, body image, caregiver stress, and guilt and shame.
Michelle speaks English and Spanish. She brings a direct and collaborative style to sessions and combines evidence-based techniques with reflective work focused on past experiences and bodily awareness. Sessions can include practical, solution-focused steps when clients are ready to try them.
Her approach balances deeper exploration and actionable change. That might look like tracking patterns that keep someone feeling stuck, noticing how the body reacts in tense moments, and trying small experiments to shift those reactions. Michelle emphasizes clear, realistic steps alongside thoughtful reflection.
Because she grew up as a first-generation professional, Michelle pays attention to cultural identity and family expectations. That informs how she talks about shame, guilt, and the pressures people feel from family or faith.
Conversations with Michelle aim to slow things down enough to see what’s really happening and what could be different. She works in ways that are straightforward and practical while also making room to understand how past experiences influence present behavior.
How therapeutic approaches are used in online sessions
Michelle draws on evidence-based techniques alongside reflective methods. One common evidence-based approach she uses focuses on practical skills and problem solving to reduce distress and build new habits. This approach helps when people want clear steps to manage anxiety, mood, or overwhelming moments.She also uses somatic-informed practices that attend to how the body holds stress. Those techniques help people notice bodily signals, calm physical tension, and relate to painful feelings like shame in a different way. When needed, she integrates exploration of past experiences to understand persistent patterns rooted in early relationships.
Choosing the right mix is a collaborative process. Michelle will work with clients to figure out which techniques fit their needs, goals, and preferences. She encourages feedback and adjusts the plan as sessions progress so the work stays relevant and practical.
Session formats are not listed in the biography, so confirm current session options before booking. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life - for example, shorter check-ins during a work break, avoiding travel time, or using audio-only if bandwidth is limited. These practical benefits help people keep steady progress without rearranging everything in their schedule.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Additional focus areas
Experience
7+ years
Listed in
Connecticut, New Jersey
Languages
English, Spanish
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does she address?
She works with stress, anxiety, self-esteem issues, career questions, depression, and coping with life changes. Additional focuses include attachment, family of origin issues, and guilt and shame.
How would she approach shame or guilt?
She uses evidence-based techniques combined with deeper reflective work and somatic awareness to help people understand and respond differently to those feelings.
What is her professional background?
She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with seven years of clinical experience working with adults.
Where is she located and licensed?
She practices in Connecticut and holds LCSW licensure in New Jersey and Connecticut.
Can I work with her if I don’t speak English?
Sessions are offered in English and Spanish.
Does she accept clients from other countries?
She is not currently accepting international clients.
How are sessions paid for and what do they cost?
Cost varies with location; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete the 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.