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Hi! My name is Michelle and I'm a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) working in the state of Virginia. I am 15-year U.S. Navy veteran with over 10 years working as a counselor and life coach. I have worked with clients experiencing a wide range of concerns including PTSD, depression, anxiety and many different types of relationship issues. I have helped many people who have experienced physical trauma or emotional abuse including Narcissistic Abuse, a particularly insidious form of mistreatment.
My counseling style is direct and interactive. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion, and I don't believe in stigmatizing labels. My approach combines cognitive-behavioral, humanistic, psychodynamic and rational-emotive counseling. I will tailor our dialogue and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs.
It takes courage to seek help for life's complicated issues and to take the first steps towards positive change. If you are ready to take that step, I'm here to support and empower you.
New to therapy? Don't worry, I'll walk you through everything to ensure your comfort.
I look forward to working with you!
Professional experience
10yrs in practice
Stress, AnxietyRelationshipsTrauma, AbuseDepressionCoping with life changes
Additional areas of focus:Addictions, LGBT, Family conflicts, Grief, Intimacy-related issues, Anger management, Self esteem, Career difficulties, Coaching, Compassion fatigue, BDSM, Kink, Alternative Sex Culture, Commitment Issues, Communication Problems, Divorce and Separation, Expats, Family Problems, First Responder Issues, Infidelity, Isolation / Loneliness, Midlife Crisis, Military and Veterans Issues, Narcissism, Post-traumatic Stress, Sexuality, Women's Issues
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Michelle Story. 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 the absolute best therapist I have ever had. She is caring, supportive, and offers me hands on advice that sticks with me long after the session. She has helped empower me to make hard decisions, and has helped me identify toxic relationships in my life. My time with her has been crucial to my independence and self-development. Plus she's hilarious, which I love.
Written on May 26, 2023 after therapy with Michelle for 8 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship issues, family conflicts, grief, intimacy-related issues, eating disorders, and coping with life changes
Michelle is AMAZING!!!
She meets me where I am (emotionally) and that may be different places at times. She listens and genuinely cares about me and my concerns.
I would highly recommend her!
Written on Mar 07, 2023 after therapy with Michelle for 8 months on issues concerning intimacy-related issues, coaching, and adhd
Love her!
Written on Feb 15, 2023 after therapy with Michelle for 5 months on issues concerning family conflicts, sleeping disorders, parenting issues, and adhd
Michelle has been an important part of my healing and I am beyond grateful for her
Written on Jan 23, 2023 after therapy with Michelle for 11 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, eating disorders, sleeping disorders, parenting issues, self esteem, coaching, compassion fatigue, and adhd
Michelle’s candor and honesty is refreshing. She has true concern for her patients; I feel like I’m talking to a friend I’ve had for 20 years.
Written on Nov 10, 2022 after therapy with Michelle for 1 year and 8 months on issues concerning relationship issues, intimacy-related issues, parenting issues, self esteem, anger management, and compassion fatigue
Michelle is nothing less than AMAZING.
Written on Aug 15, 2022 after therapy with Michelle for 1 year and 6 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, lgbt, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, grief, parenting issues, self esteem, anger management, career difficulties, and coping with life changes
Awesome
Written on May 30, 2022 after therapy with Michelle for 1 year and 1 month on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship issues, intimacy-related issues, and self esteem
Michelle is amazing.
Written on Apr 07, 2022 after therapy with Michelle for 11 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship issues, family conflicts, grief, anger management, career difficulties, coping with life changes, and compassion fatigue
It is hard for me to open up with anyone (therapists included). Michelle makes me very comfortable and I've found it quite easy to talk to her about my issues. She offers nonjudgemental support, understanding, strategies, and questions for me to think about. I feel very lucky to have found her.
Written on Feb 09, 2022 after therapy with Michelle for 11 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship issues, and intimacy-related issues
Michelle has been helping me overcome the depression I was sunk in for so long.
I’m more that happy and grateful to start my journey in this app and found her.
Written on Nov 10, 2021 after therapy with Michelle for 5 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, eating disorders, self esteem, anger management, and career difficulties
Michelle has helped me though a very difficult life change. She’s very easy to talk to but also challenges me to help me grow. I always look forward to our calls!
Written on Aug 29, 2021 after therapy with Michelle for 6 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, and self esteem
Fantastic.
Written on Aug 23, 2021 after therapy with Michelle for 6 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship issues, grief, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, and coping with life changes
When I started working with Michelle, I was severely depressed, having constant anxiety attacks, and having trouble generally functioning. She's given me great tools to help me recognize my triggers, and manage my symptoms, and she's incredibly supportive and always makes me feel safe in our sessions. Absolutely phenomenal 10/10 would recommend.
Written on Aug 23, 2021 after therapy with Michelle for 6 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, lgbt, relationship issues, eating disorders, sleeping disorders, self esteem, career difficulties, coping with life changes, and adhd
I was nervous about starting therapy but Michelle made the first session comfortable and relaxing. She not only listens to my concerns but also helps me work on them.
Written on Jun 01, 2021 after therapy with Michelle for 2 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, coping with life changes, and adhd
Michelle has been a blessing in my life. I hate that it took my life falling apart to get to the opportunity to meet her but she has made an astronomical impact on my recovery. Michelle has a wide range of coping techniques and conflict resolutions. She asks the hard questions without ever pushing you to a place where you don’t feel safe or comfortable and this has been the most successful I’ve ever been in therapy. It feels great to get that “Ah-hah” moment on why or what the root of your problems stems from. Michelle is the best of both worlds by being thoughtful, supportive, kind and also inquisitive and just being able to light a fire under your ass and take your life back. I could not imagine where I would be now if I wasn’t working with her and I owe her a lot.
Written on May 22, 2021 after therapy with Michelle for 2 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, and grief
Speaking with Michelle is like speaking to a good friend. She’s smart, caring and empathetic. She challenges you but also seeks to understand.
Written on Apr 29, 2021 after therapy with Michelle for 2 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, family conflicts, and grief
Michelle is absolutely amazing. It's so awesome to have been paired with a counselor who gets me so well. She is great and I would recommend her to my friends and family.
Written on Apr 29, 2021 after therapy with Michelle for 2 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety
Kind, great input and advice.
Written on Apr 01, 2021 after therapy with Michelle for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, self esteem, and coping with life changes
Michelle is a passionate therapist who always makes me feel heard. In the few short weeks that I have had her as my therapist, she has already provided me with some excellent coping techniques as well as helpful tips and tricks to utilize in my personal and professional life.
Written on Mar 29, 2021 after therapy with Michelle for 3 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, eating disorders, self esteem, coping with life changes, and adhd
I always looks forward to my talks with Michelle. She makes me feel good about myself and helps me process the stuff I’m trying to.
Written on Mar 15, 2021 after therapy with Michelle for 1 month on issues concerning stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, and sleeping disorders
I’ve been working with Michelle for several months now and she has made a huge impact on my mental health journey! She has amazing insight and brings a lightness to the session that I really love. I always leave our sessions feeling more confident and empowered then I did going in. I look forward to each session and it feels really great to be able to see the progress I’ve made since working with her. She’s the best!
Written on Mar 15, 2021 after therapy with Michelle for 2 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, and career difficulties
I really like Michelle. I feel like she is a good fit to help me.
Written on Mar 01, 2021 after therapy with Michelle for 3 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, sleeping disorders, compassion fatigue, and adhd
Michelle has been such a great asset to me during a difficult time. I’ve been carrying an enormous weight for years, and after the first couple of sessions, I felt a significant shift. I feel so fortunate that I was paired with someone who can help me get out of my negative thought patterns so that I can look forward to a bright future. Thank you, Michelle!
Written on Feb 27, 2021 after therapy with Michelle for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, grief, and coping with life changes
Michelle is a wonderful person to talk to! She is so understanding and has such a sweet and kind soul. I’m very grateful to BetterHelp for pairing me with her because it’s been a perfect match so far. Michelle has lots of knowledge personally and as well as on the judicial aspect. Again very grateful the app paired me with her!
Written on Feb 23, 2021 after therapy with Michelle for 2 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, and coping with life changes
She’s been a huge help for me personally. I don’t think I could have been matched with a better counselor for my situations. She has been doing a fabulous job at listening and giving me ways to potentially help with my problems mentally. No matter how long I get help through her and BETTERHELP, she has done nothing but good for me and I could never thank her enough!
Written on Feb 20, 2021 after therapy with Michelle for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, intimacy-related issues, and self esteem
Michelle is amazing. I feel like I can be open with her and she genuinely cares. She listens and give advice.
Written on Feb 15, 2021 after therapy with Michelle for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, relationship issues, self esteem, and coping with life changes
Michelle is so down to earth, talks to you like a friend, and is so understanding! She says exactly the right thing, always. I carry her words with me though the day and any time I catch myself going down a dark path in my mind, I remember her healing words and it lightens my mood immediately. I spoke to her about so many of my personal trauma and my ruminating thoughts. She has healed so many of my metaphorical cuts. My ruminating thoughts were two giant cuts (family incidents) that were constantly spewing out with blood. She talked me through those situations in a way that none of my friends could and now my cuts have not only stopped bleeding, they’re all healed up, and scars almost gone. She’s an Angel on earth.
Written on Feb 13, 2021 after therapy with Michelle for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, parenting issues, anger management, career difficulties, and coping with life changes
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