About Me
Welcome! My name is Michelle and I am a licensed professional counselor in Washington, DC. I have over 15 years of experience working in the mental health field. The majority of my work has been in nonprofit, community-based settings providing direct services and counseling to individuals living with life challenges such as severe and persistent mental illness (depression, anxiety, delusional and bipolar disorders), unemployment, substance abuse, trauma, chronic homelessness, self-esteem, relationship and family issues, among other challenges. My experience with such a diverse population has allowed me to build a skill set that enables me to connect closely with those with whom I work. I also have extensive experience working with those fleeing domestic violence, formerly incarcerated individuals, as well as those exiting the foster care system.
I work from a strength-based perspective using a client-centered, holistic approach that encompasses relevant cultural aspects. When applicable, I will use an integrative approach that includes evidence based techniques such as those found in solution-focused counseling, cognitive behavioral therapy; and motivational interviewing. Above all, I promote self-care and am able to explore creative ways to establish a self-care plan that is best for you. I have also completed TREM training for women (Trauma Recovery and Empowerment Model) and training in providing trauma-informed care. I believe that while I provide the framework, treatment is driven by you. Joining you where you are in that moment is the best way to determine your path to healing. This encompasses your lifestyle choices as well as your unique cultural experiences.
My counseling style is warm, open, and approachable. It is my belief that our collaborative effort is key to making the progress you desire. If you are ready to take the next step in healing, self-discovery, and empowerment, my door is open.
I look forward to beginning our work together.
Specialties
- Addictions
- LGBT
- Relationship issues
- Trauma and abuse
- Compassion fatigue
Stress, Anxiety , Family conflicts , Grief , Intimacy-related issues , Anger management , Self esteem , Career difficulties , Depression , Coping with life changes , Coaching , Caregiver Issues and Stress , Communication Problems , Read more...
Clinical approaches:
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy
Services Offered
Messaging
Live Chat
Phone
Video
Licensing
LPC #PRC14964 (Expires: 2022-12-31)
Reviews
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Michelle Durham. We don’t pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with BetterHelp might be different.
I accidentally marked Michelle as not reliable, that was a complete mistake, she is more than timely in responding, please disregard that answer.
Michelle is so helpful
Michelle is a very kind hearted person with a great ear for listening to my concerns and reasons for therapy. She has been exponential in my on-going healing and development. I’m very grateful for our sessions!
Ms. Michelle is a real comfort to me.
Michelle is amazing!! She makes me feel seen and heard without pacifying me. I look forward to every session. :)
Too soon to assess, have only had one interaction.
I truly enjoy talking with Michelle. She is so kind and understanding!
Michelle Durham has been very compassionate and responsive, and has really let me just talk and talk and talk, which is what I feel like I’ve needed most at first here. I was extremely impressed when I told her that I hadn’t reacted well to advice she offered a few times - there was no reaction other than “ok” and we moved on productively. She pivots so well - I honestly wasn’t sure at first because of some of the early advice she gave, but I know she’s been getting to know me. I like that she’s matter-of-fact, too. I don’t always respond well to ultra-positive reinforcement - but she’s someone figured out how to offer me as much as I need, when I need it. I’m so grateful to her for what we’ve already accomplished.
Michelle is a wonderful therapist and professional. I highly recommend her.
Michelle is the best person to have come into my life. The past two years have been extremely challenging and I don’t know how I would have dealt with it all without her help.
Michelle is thoughtful and easy to talk to. She is a great listener and she has great empathy. She takes the time to understand my concerns and gives great advice to help me address them. After each session, I always feel encouraged and empowered to take on my next challenge.
Ms Michelle is amazing. She's kind ,patient, and affirming. I appreciate her
Michelle has been so instrumental in my growth after going through really difficult times. She goes above and beyond, I can’t speak enough of how great she is.
Michelle has been an excellent resource and sounding board during a very difficult year. She seems to genuinely care and is very helpful in putting things into perspective, especially when so much seems to be happening at once. Very understanding and highly recommended.
Michelle challenges me in all of the best ways! She’s so compassionate and supportive, but also encourages me to see things from a different perspective.
So far, Michelle has been an excellent counselor. I appreciate that she centers our sessions around the therapy goals that I set forth at the beginning of the year. I feel confident that I will see some personal growth as a result of our time together. She has been very warm and encouraging while offering valuable feedback and advice that will push me to tackle some issues I have been facing.
Michelle is a very skilled counselor. She brings a great degree of empathy and insight to her clients. She listens, probes, ask questions and makes recommendations. I also sincerely appreciate her mid-week follow ups, even when I am unable to respond in a timely manner. She is awesome.
Even just one session and the ability to message back and forth, I am enjoying the time she has taken to assist me with everything currently going on.
Than you for your patience with me and encouragement to continue to draw and share.
Michelle is a phenomenal counselor. She’s open, honest and always willing to go the extra mile to help you with whatever it is you’re going through. I am extremely grateful to have her!
Amazing sessions that have been very helpful for me.
She’s great
I have been working with Michelle for almost three months now. She is great to work with and I really look forward to our session each week. She has been very helpful, patient, and professional and I highly recommend working with her!
Michelle is so caring and compassionate! She reminds me of who I am underneath all the trauma and in spite of it.
I love Michelle. She is warm and caring, and has helped me a lot already.
I have only had one session with Michelle so far, but I have found her to be incredibly understanding and helpful so far. She heard me out and helped me deal with my immediate concerns, gave me some specific things to do and think about, and let me know what to expect the next time we talk.
I’m so lucky I was matched with Michelle. She is an incredible professional and it is a pleasure to be her patient. She has guided me though immense healing and I’m forever grateful.
She's great! Very understanding and listens well. Really helpful I would recommend her to anyone!
Michelle Durham is probably the best counselor I could have asked for. Her background gives her an appreciation for some of my own unique experiences I am navigating and her skills as a compassionate listener fill in any gaps. I am thankful for her help.
Michelle understands me in my situation and everything that she has asked me to do and the techniques that have been presented to me have been working and I have nothing but admiration for her. This has been one of the best decisions that I have made this year to get these sessions. My girlfriend has over 200 friends and possible and she will be recommending all of them to you guys.
Michelle is patient, thoughtful, insightful, listens to me and offers helpful advice and ways for me to reflect on the experiences I'm having. I so appreciate her guidance.
Michelle has been very instrumental in improving my mood, and the way I view conflicts. She’s always available, and provides an honest opinion on my situations. I truly admire that I can come to her for any issues.
Michelle listens. I feel heard and validated when I meet with her. I value the time I've spent talking with her. Her style is understated and I feel comfortable trying things she suggests because I trust her judgment. She's been excellent so far.
I love Michelle. She’s the best therapist I’ve ever seen. I can be so honest with her and she helps me empower myself.
Michelle is professional, kind, and empathetic. She is open minded and very understanding. I would recommend her to my friends and peers.
Michelle is a wonderful person with a strong level of expertise to talk through issues. She offers practical and actionable advice for how to manage stress and communicate your feelings and needs to others. She is genuine, kind, understanding, and readily available.
Michelle has been great - she is kind and genuine while also providing an honest perspective to help me move forward and heal. She has a wealth of toolkits to help me, and she is so prompt with getting back to me on anything and everything - questions, concerns, journal entries, etc.