- Client-centered
- Bilingual English Japanese
- Relationship focus
About Michelle
Michelle has four years of clinical experience and a background in social services and healthcare. She has worked with people connected to the child welfare system and has supported caregivers, guardians, and families through custody or legal guardianship questions. She also has experience with aging and geriatric issues and caring for family members with dementia.
She helps people facing grief, depression, trauma and abuse, and major life changes. Michelle also supports those dealing with chronic illness or disability, fertility and fatherhood concerns, and blended family or communication problems. Her work often focuses on practical ways to improve communication and resolve conflicts over priorities and expectations.
Michelle emphasizes listening first and then building a plan that matches each person's goals. She draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Solution-Focused techniques when those methods fit a person's needs. Sessions are collaborative and aim to produce steps people can try between meetings.
Her multicultural background and bilingual ability inform her approach. Michelle values sensitivity to culture and family history while helping people find clearer ways to relate and cope.
How Michelle’s approaches translate to online work
Michelle draws on client-centered practice and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to guide online sessions. Client-centered work focuses on listening, empathy, and helping people set their own goals. It is useful when someone wants a respectful space to talk through relationship or family stresses.CBT helps identify unhelpful thoughts and test small changes in behavior. It is useful for anxiety, depression, stress, and coping with life changes where concrete steps and skills are helpful. Michelle may also use Motivational Interviewing to help clarify motivation for change and Solution-Focused techniques to set short-term, practical goals.
Finding the right approach is part of the early work. Michelle will collaborate with each person to decide which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences. That collaborative process can involve trying different techniques and adjusting as progress is made.
The practical benefit of online therapy is fitting sessions into everyday life, such as working around weekend schedules or short weekday evenings. Confirm the session formats offered before booking so you know how meetings will take place. Online work can make it easier to maintain continuity of care when balancing caregiving, work, and other responsibilities.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
4+ years
Credentials
California
Languages
English, Japanese
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does Michelle commonly help with?
She helps people with stress, anxiety, depression, relationship and parenting issues, grief, trauma and intimacy-related concerns. Her additional focuses include caregiving stress, chronic illness, adoption and foster care, and family of origin problems.
What is her approach to therapy like?
She practices a client-centered approach that begins with listening. She may also use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, or Solution-Focused techniques when they fit a person's goals.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has four years of experience working in social services and healthcare settings alongside clinical practice. That work included case management and supporting families and older adults.
What credential does she hold and where is she based?
She is a licensed marriage and family therapist - LMFT - practicing in California.
Which languages are supported in sessions?
Sessions are offered in English and Japanese.
Can people outside the U.S. work with her?
She does not accept international clients at this time; sessions are offered to clients located within the therapist's practice region.
How are fees and billing handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability, and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time. Exact rates depend on the therapist's location and scheduling arrangements.
How do I begin if I want to work with her?
Select the continue button on this profile, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a session based on the therapist's availability.