Therapist Michelle Leary Photo

Michelle Leary, LMFT

Stress, Anxiety Addictions Relationships Family conflicts Depression
Video Phone Live Chat Messaging

About me

ABOUT ME
Michelle is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a client centered approach to therapy. She focuses on collaborating with clients and meeting them where they are in the clinical process. Using a strength-based trauma informed approach to therapy she works with clients to improve their overall emotional health and well-being.

Michelle believes the relationship between client and therapist is essential for meaningful work to occur in therapy. She focuses on ensuring that clients feel heard and respected. She approaches each session with warmth, compassion and empathy to create a non-judgmental safe space for identifying concerns to process. She encourages behavioral and emotional regulation towards interpersonal effectiveness and relationship enhancement.

Michelle looks forward to assisting you and is available for video, talk and text sessions.


SPECIALTIES
• Depression
• Stress and Anxiety
• Relationship and Couple issues
• Family Conflicts
• Trauma and Abuse
• Substance Abuse
• Co-Parenting
• Divorce
Also experienced in:
Addictions, Parenting Issues, Anger Management, Bipolar Disorder, Abandonment, Blended Family Issues, Codependency, Communication Problems, Family Problems, Adolescent Challenges, Guilt and Shame, Self Esteem, Career Transition and Difficulties, Life Stages and Purpose.
Clinical approaches:
• Client-Centered Therapy (CCT)
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
• Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT)
• Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)
• Motivational Interviewing (MI)
Years of Experience: 6

Professional experience

6yrs in practice
Stress, Anxiety Addictions Relationships Family conflicts Depression

Additional areas of focus: Trauma and abuse, Grief, Intimacy-related issues, Parenting issues, Anger management, Self esteem, Career difficulties, Bipolar disorder, Coping with life changes, Coaching, Compassion fatigue, Abandonment, Adoption and Foster Care, Aging and Geriatric Issues, Attachment Issues, Avoidant Personality, Blended Family Issues, Caregiver Issues and Stress, Co-morbidity, Codependency, Commitment Issues, Communication Problems, Control Issues, Dependent Personality, Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD), Dissociation, Divorce and Separation, Domestic Violence, Drug and Alcohol Addiction, Emptiness, Family of Origin Issues, Family Problems, Fatherhood Issues, First Responder Issues, Forgiveness, Guilt and Shame, Hoarding, Impulsivity, Infidelity, Isolation / Loneliness, Jealousy, Life Purpose, Men's Issues, Midlife Crisis, Money and Financial Issues, Mood Disorders, Multicultural Concerns, Obsessions, Compulsions, and OCD, Panic Disorder and Panic Attacks, Personality Disorders, Postpartum Depression, Post-traumatic Stress, Prejudice and Discrimination, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), Self-Harm, Self-Love, Sexual Assault and Abuse, Smoking/Vaping Cessation, Social Anxiety and Phobia, Trichotillomania, Women's Issues, Workplace Issues, Young Adult Issues

Clinical approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Existential Therapy, Gottman Method, Imago Relationship Therapy, Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Solution-Focused Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy, Internal Family Systems

Services offered

Video
Phone
Live Chat
Messaging

License information

CA LMFT 129065

Reviews

These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Michelle Leary. 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.

Michelle is kind, respectful, and helpful. She is good at explaining and understanding psychological disorders, as well as how things can either positively or negatively impact it. She has recommended me techniques that I have found helpful in managing anxiety better. She has also recommended me informative and useful books.

Written on Oct 29, 2022 after therapy with Michelle for 8 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, and self esteem

It's been so helpful having this easy access to a great therapist

Written on Sep 21, 2022 after therapy with Michelle for 7 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, intimacy-related issues, parenting issues, bipolar disorder, coping with life changes, and coaching

I am extremely grateful for Michelle. She is thoughtful and caring, she asks insightful questions, she immediately made me feel comfortable, and makes me feel seen. I appreciate how she navigates helping me work through my situation, issues, attitudes with reflective questions, challenging my thoughts and attitudes in a way that makes me feel safe and that I have found to be so helpful for me in this season. I have implemented so many of the tools and insights she's offered, and it has been transformative for me. I am so thankful for Michelle and would highly recommend her!

Written on Jul 14, 2022 after therapy with Michelle for 4 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, and compassion fatigue

Whereas other therapist with which I’ve worked have given me a great deal of temporary relief, Michelle has given me real hope for the first time. She was able to get behind my defenses and has given me an understanding of myself as well as the tools necessary for responding to triggers that have derailed me in the past. Michelle has a wealth of knowledge but most of all she communicates with language and metaphors that immediately resonates. Working with Michelle has been a true blessing.

Written on Jul 13, 2022 after therapy with Michelle for 5 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, grief, self esteem, career difficulties, and coping with life changes

She is the best! Not only does she creates an environment where you feel safe, understand. You can also feel that she genuinely cares and wants the best for you. She doesn’t keep it surface level instead she helps you dig deep inside yourself. You can tell she’s a professional and experience in what she does. Best therapist I’ve had! I definitely recommend her, you will not regret it.

Written on Apr 22, 2022 after therapy with Michelle for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, family conflicts, and trauma and abuse

I am seriously blessed and lucky to have BetterHelp assign Michelle to me.
From the first session I felt like I was chatting with a close friend, she makes me feel very comfortable to share my life stories with her, while giving me tools and exercises to put positive changes in my life.
I have a young daughter and I didn’t know how to talk to her about going through tough family situations. With loads of experience, Michelle has helped me with what to say to my daughter and what questions I can ask her to help open up a conversation.

I always have soooo much food for thought after each session, Michelle keeps in touch between sessions too which is super nice.

1000% recommended

Written on Apr 15, 2022 after therapy with Michelle for 2 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, intimacy-related issues, parenting issues, and coping with life changes