Michelle Upton

Strength-based care with practical tools

LICSW Massachusetts

Experience: 8 years in practice
Focus areas: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Grief
Approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Client-Centered Therapy
Languages: English

About Michelle

Michelle Upton is a licensed clinical social worker (LICSW) based in Massachusetts who supports people facing stress, anxiety, grief, relationship and intimacy-related concerns, self-esteem struggles, coping with life changes, and substance-related issues.

Background and approach

She also addresses family and parenting challenges, career transitions, compassion fatigue, and depression, along with focused areas such as aging and geriatric matters, cancer-related stress, caregiver strain, fertility and fatherhood concerns, and communication or commitment difficulties. Michelle brings eight years of clinical experience to these concerns and frames her work around practical, skill-oriented strategies.

Her approach blends evidence-informed techniques with a warm, client-centered stance that prioritizes collaboration and individualized plans. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) are among the methods she frequently uses alongside mindfulness, existential, and narrative perspectives to help clients reframe patterns, build coping skills, and explore meaning.

Sessions aim to balance supportive listening with concrete tools for managing emotions and behaviors. Michelle works with each person to select the combination of strategies that best fits their needs and goals.

Integrating evidence-based approaches for online care

CBT focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and behaviors and then replacing them with more adaptive patterns; it is often used for anxiety, depression, stress management, and problems with motivation and coping. Client-centered therapy emphasizes a nonjudgmental, empathetic stance that helps people explore their feelings and values at their own pace, which can be especially helpful when navigating grief, relationship issues, and self-esteem challenges. DBT combines acceptance and change strategies, teaching practical skills in emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness for intense emotions and patterns that interfere with everyday life.

Choosing the right approach is viewed as a collaborative process. Michelle works with clients to understand their concerns, goals, and preferences and then tailors a plan that may draw from one or more of these methods so the work fits each person’s needs. Clients are involved in deciding what techniques to try and how to measure progress.

Online sessions are offered by video, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging, providing flexibility for people with busy schedules or limited local options. These formats allow for continuity of care across time and location while making it easier to access regular sessions, practice skills between meetings, and adjust the mode of contact as needs change.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does Michelle commonly address?

She supports people with stress, anxiety, grief, relationship and intimacy-related issues, self-esteem, depression, addictions, coping with life changes, parenting and family problems, and career or caregiving stress.

How would you describe her therapeutic style?

Her style is collaborative and client-centered, combining a calm, compassionate presence with practical skill-building to help clients meet their goals.

How long has she been practicing clinically?

Michelle has eight years of experience working with individuals and families across a range of life changes and stressors.

What are her credentials and where is she located?

She holds an MA and is licensed as an LICSW, MA LICSW 122973, and practices in Massachusetts.

Does she provide services in languages other than English?

Sessions are offered in English; she is not currently accepting international clients.

What session formats are available with her?

Clients can work with her via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging depending on their needs and scheduling.

How does pricing and payment work for sessions?

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

What are the first steps to begin working together?

Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, completing a short matching questionnaire, and then scheduling a session based on the therapist's availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesGrief Self esteem Coping with life changes

Also works with

AddictionsFamily conflictsIntimacy-related issuesParenting issuesCareer difficultiesDepressionCoachingCompassion fatigue

Additional focus areas

Aging and geriatric issuesCancerCaregiver issues and stressCo-morbidityCommitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesDivorce and separationDrug and alcohol addictionFamily problemsFatherhood issuesFertility issuesFirst responder issuesForgivenessGuilt and shameHospice and end-of-life counselingIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeMidlife crisisVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesPostpartum depressionPregnancy and childbirthSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-loveWomen's issuesWorkplace issues

Therapeutic approaches

Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Existential TherapyMindfulness TherapyNarrative TherapySolution-Focused Therapy

Experience

8+ years

Licensed

Massachusetts

Languages

English