Michelle Carter

Purpose-driven therapy with practical tools

LICSW Minnesota

Experience: 15 years in practice
Focus areas: Stress, Anxiety, LGBT, Depression
Approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Languages: English

About Michelle

Michelle Carter is a licensed independent clinical social worker who focuses on helping people move past persistent stresses and obstacles to live in ways that better reflect their values and goals.

Background and approach

With 15 years of practice, she centers sessions on each person's priorities and works collaboratively to identify what is getting in the way of greater wellbeing. Her work frequently addresses anxiety, depression, addiction concerns, grief, intimacy-related struggles, and life transitions while also attending to issues such as sleep and eating difficulties, anger, self-esteem, and career-related stress.

She draws on evidence-informed approaches including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Client-Centered Therapy, and Existential Therapy to tailor interventions to each client. Michelle helps clients notice thoughts and patterns, develop practical coping tools, and clarify personal values so that change is guided by what matters most to them.

Based in Minnesota and licensed as an LICSW, she offers a supportive, nonjudgmental environment aimed at increasing self-awareness, acceptance, and personal agency.

How therapeutic approaches translate to online care

Michelle integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy into her online work, offering clear, practical tools and value-focused exercises. CBT helps clients identify and change unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns that contribute to anxiety, depression, and stress, while ACT emphasizes noticing thoughts, connecting with personal values, and building psychological flexibility to face difficult feelings without being controlled by them.

She approaches selection of methods as a collaborative process, discussing options with each client and adjusting techniques based on what the person needs and prefers. This means the therapist and client work together to decide whether skill-building, mindfulness and acceptance practices, or a client-centered exploratory stance will best serve the goals of therapy.

Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, which allow clients to fit sessions into busy lives and to access therapy from home or other convenient locations. These options support continuity of care and flexibility so clients can choose the communication style that feels most workable for their schedule and therapeutic objectives.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns can be addressed in sessions?

Sessions cover a broad range of concerns including stress, anxiety, depression, addictions, grief, intimacy-related issues, eating and sleeping problems, anger, self-esteem, career strain, bipolar concerns, ADHD, and coping with life changes.

What therapeutic style can I expect?

The therapist takes a collaborative, client-centered stance and uses evidence-informed methods like CBT, ACT, DBT, and existential approaches to build skills, increase awareness, and align actions with personal values.

How much experience does the clinician have?

She brings 15 years of clinical experience to her work, applying that background to help clients identify obstacles and develop practical strategies for change.

Where is the therapist licensed and based?

Michelle is licensed as an LICSW in Minnesota, with license number MN LICSW 9849.

Is therapy available in languages other than English?

All services are provided in English and international clients are not currently accepted.

Which session formats are offered?

Clients may work through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging depending on their needs and preferences.

How are fees and subscriptions handled?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

What steps are involved to begin working together?

To get started, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyLGBTDepression

Also works with

Addictions GriefIntimacy-related issuesEating disordersSleeping disordersAnger managementSelf esteemCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderCoping with life changesCoachingCompassion fatigue ADHD

Additional focus areas

Aging and geriatric issuesAutism and Asperger SyndromeBody imageCaregiver issues and stressCo-morbidityCodependencyDisruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)DissociationDomestic violenceDrug and alcohol addictionFamily of origin issuesFirst responder issuesForgivenessGuilt and shameHIV / AIDSHoardingImpulsivity Isolation / lonelinessMidlife crisisObsessions, compulsions, and OCD Panic disorder and panic attacks Post-traumatic stressSexualitySocial anxiety and phobiaWorkplace issues

Therapeutic approaches

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Existential TherapyMindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingSolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused Therapy

Experience

15+ years

Licensed

Minnesota

Languages

English