Michelle Spencer

Compassionate, practical therapy for real-life challenges

LMHC, LPCC Minnesota

Experience: 12 years in practice
Focus areas: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Self esteem
Approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Client-Centered Therapy
Languages: English

About Michelle

Michelle Spencer is a licensed mental health counselor who brings 12 years of clinical experience to work with people facing stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, depression, relationship challenges, and a wide range of life adjustments.

Background and approach

She approaches each person with respect, sensitivity, and compassion, shaping conversations and treatment plans to match individual needs and goals. Her background includes work on self-esteem, career concerns, addictions, grief, parenting stress, ADHD, and mood-related issues among other areas.

Michelle integrates evidence-informed techniques such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy alongside client-centered and dialectical strategies to help clients build skills, reframe unhelpful patterns, and find practical ways to cope. She emphasizes collaboration, helping clients set achievable goals and develop tools that fit daily life.

Michelle is licensed in New York and Minnesota - LMHC and LPCC - and bases her practice in Minnesota while offering a flexible range of online session formats. Clients can expect a warm, individualized approach that balances empathy with actionable strategies.

Michelle frames therapy as a partnership, supporting people through transitions, healing after difficult experiences, and pursuing clearer direction in work and relationships.

Approaches That Translate Well to Online Work

Michelle uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help clients identify unhelpful thought patterns and develop practical strategies for managing symptoms like anxiety, depression, and stress. She also employs Client-Centered Therapy to create a respectful, empathetic space where clients feel heard and understood as they explore goals and challenges. These approaches work together to balance skill-building with validation, helping people make concrete changes while feeling supported.

Choosing the right approach is collaborative; Michelle partners with each person to assess needs, preferences, and goals and then adapts methods as therapy progresses. She encourages open conversation about what feels most helpful and tailors interventions so clients can practice new skills between sessions.

Online therapy offers flexibility through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, making it easier to fit care into busy schedules and varied routines. These formats enable ongoing access to licensed professionals and allow clients to receive continuity of care even when life circumstances make in-person visits difficult.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does Michelle commonly address?

She supports people managing stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, depression, addictions, relationship and parenting challenges, grief, and a range of mood and life-change issues.

What therapeutic approaches are used in sessions?

Michelle draws on client-centered methods to create a supportive environment and uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy techniques to teach coping skills and modify unhelpful thoughts and behaviors.

How long has she practiced clinically?

She has 12 years of professional experience working with clients across various concerns and life stages.

Where is Michelle licensed and located?

Michelle holds licensure as an LMHC and an LPCC, and she practices from Minnesota while also holding a New York license; specific license numbers are NY LMHC 007805 and MN LPCC cc03400.

Can I work with her if I live outside the United States?

She is not accepting international clients at this time and currently provides services within the geographic and licensing constraints noted.

What session formats are available for online work?

Sessions can be scheduled as video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to accommodate different preferences and schedules.

How are fees handled for therapy with Michelle?

Cost varies depending on location and therapist availability, and sessions are offered through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

What is the process for beginning therapy?

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

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, Anxiety Trauma and abuse Self esteemCareer difficultiesDepression

Also works with

AddictionsRelationship issuesGriefEating disordersParenting issuesAnger managementBipolar disorderCoping with life changesCoachingCompassion fatigue ADHD

Additional focus areas

Caregiver issues and stressCodependencyForgivenessGuilt and shame ImpulsivityLife purposeMoney and financial issuesMood disorders Post-traumatic stressSelf-loveSocial anxiety and phobiaWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Motivational Interviewing

Experience

12+ years

Licensed

Minnesota, New York

Languages

English