About Michelle
Michelle Clisby is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who practices in California and has about 15 years of clinical experience. She focuses on helping people who feel stuck by offering steady support and practical guidance. Michelle aims to make the first step feel less daunting for those seeking change.
She helps people talk through relationship strain and family conflict. Michelle also supports work on self esteem, confidence, and motivation. Many people come to her for help with depression, anxiety, stress, and problems with addiction.
Background and approach
Michelle uses straightforward conversation to identify what matters most to each person. Sessions focus on real-life solutions and small, manageable changes. She works at a pace set by the client and checks in often about how things are going.
Her practice also addresses grief, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related concerns, and parenting challenges. Michelle offers help with career questions, anger, and issues related to attention and mood, including bipolar and ADHD. She also supports people navigating adoption and foster care, blended family issues, caregiving stress, and end-of-life concerns.
Clients can expect a calm, nonjudgmental setting for honest talk. Michelle encourages clear communication and practical steps people can try between sessions. Her goal is to help people build coping skills and make choices that fit their life.
Therapeutic approaches and online sessions that fit your life
Michelle draws on evidence-based therapeutic techniques that focus on clear thinking and practical change. One common approach is solution-focused work, which narrows in on immediate goals and small steps people can try between sessions to see quick improvements. This method helps when someone wants concrete ways to improve relationships, mood, or daily functioning.Another approach addresses patterns that keep problems repeating. This work helps people spot unhelpful thinking and behavior, then practice alternative ways to respond. It is useful for anxiety, stress, anger, addiction patterns, and relationship communication issues.
Finding the right mix of approaches is part of the process. Michelle works collaboratively with people to decide what methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences. She will check in and adjust the plan as progress is made or circumstances change.
Online therapy offers flexible ways to meet. Video calls let people work face to face from wherever they are. Phone sessions can be easier when bandwidth or camera use is limited. Live chat or text-based messaging gives options for short check-ins or ongoing support between sessions. These formats make it easier to fit therapy into busy schedules and to keep momentum between meetings.
Frequently asked questions
What issues does Michelle commonly address?
How would you describe her therapeutic style?
What is her professional background?
Where is she licensed and practicing?
Which languages are sessions offered in?
What session formats are available?
How does cost and payment work?
How do I begin therapy with Michelle?
Specialties and expertise
Top specialties
- Relationship issues
- Family conflicts
- Self esteem
Also works with
- Addictions
- ADHD
- Adoption and foster care
- Aging and geriatric issues
- Anger management
- Bipolar disorder
- Blended family issues
- Career difficulties
- Caregiver issues and stress
- Coaching
- Commitment issues
- Communication problems
- Compassion fatigue
- Control issues
- Coping with life changes
- Depression
- Divorce and separation
- Domestic violence
- Drug and alcohol addiction
- Emptiness
- Family problems
- Forgiveness
- Grief
- Hospice and end-of-life counseling
- Infidelity
- Intimacy-related issues
- Isolation / loneliness
- Jealousy
- LGBT
- Life purpose
- Midlife crisis
- Money and financial issues
- Parenting issues
- Prejudice and discrimination
- Self-love
- Stress, Anxiety
- Trauma and abuse
- Women's issues
- Workplace issues
- Young adult issues
- Experience
- 15 years
- Licensed
- California
- Languages
- English