- Years in practice
- 3
- Credentials
- LCSW
- Licensed in
- New Jersey, New York
- Languages
- English
- Focus
- Addictions
- Focus
- Grief
- Focus
- Anger management
About Michelle
Michelle DeFino is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) based in New York. She focuses on practical help for people dealing with stress, anxiety, depression, grief, anger, addictions, and parenting concerns. Michelle listens without judgment and works with each person to set clear, realistic goals.
She draws on client-centered methods to create a straightforward, collaborative space. Michelle uses cognitive behavioral techniques to spot unhelpful thinking and replace it with workable behavior changes.
Background and approach
She also incorporates dialectical behavior therapy skills to build emotional regulation and mindfulness practices to improve focus and daily calm. Michelle has three years of experience as an LCSW and additional background supporting people with co-occurring substance use and mood concerns. Her work has included programs that assist people during major life transitions and re-entry settings where consistent support is essential.
Sessions are practical and goal-focused. Conversations often include skill-building, problem-solving, and short homework to try between meetings. The aim is to reduce immediate stress and build tools for longer-term change.
People who reach out for help are treated as partners. Michelle helps clarify priorities, breaks problems into manageable steps, and adjusts the plan as needed. Her approach suits people who want direct, usable strategies alongside empathetic listening.
What Michelle works with
Everything Michelle lists, in the therapist's own terms. Parenting is the reason this directory exists; the rest shows what else Michelle helps people with.
- Addictions
- Grief
- Anger management
- Depression
- Coping with life changes
- Stress, Anxiety
- Relationship issues
- Trauma and abuse
- Parenting issues
- Self esteem
- Bipolar disorder
- Aging and geriatric issues
- Caregiver issues and stress
- Codependency
- Communication problems
- Control issues
- Coping with natural or human-caused disaster
- Impulsivity
- Money and financial issues
- Social anxiety and phobia
Approaches Michelle lists
- Client-Centered Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- Mindfulness Therapy
- Motivational Interviewing
- Solution-Focused Therapy
Listing an approach is not evidence of training in it. This directory copies what each therapist names and does not check training records.
Therapeutic approaches for online parenting support
Client-centered therapy focuses on listening and understanding each person without judgment. It helps people clarify what matters to them and set goals that feel realistic and meaningful. Cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, looks at how thoughts affect feelings and actions. It teaches practical steps to change unhelpful thinking and try new behaviors, which can help with anxiety, depression, and stress related to parenting. Dialectical behavior therapy, DBT, offers skills for managing strong emotions and improving communication. It includes techniques for emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and better interpersonal effectiveness. Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will talk with each person about symptoms, goals, and daily routines, then tailor methods that fit those needs. This is a collaborative process and adjustments are made as progress is tracked. Online therapy makes regular care easier to fit into a busy life. Video calls allow face-to-face conversation when seeing facial cues helps. Phone sessions can be useful when bandwidth is limited or a short check-in is needed. Live chat or text-based messaging can support brief updates, homework check-ins, or ongoing coaching between longer sessions. These options aim to increase flexibility and make it easier to use tools learned in sessions during everyday moments.Questions people ask about Michelle
What concerns does Michelle often address?
She works with adults on issues such as addictions, grief, anger, depression, anxiety, relationship stress, trauma and parenting concerns as listed in her specialties.
How would you describe her therapeutic style?
Her style is collaborative and straightforward, using client-centered care together with techniques from cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behavior therapy.
What is her professional background?
Michelle holds the Licensed Clinical Social Worker credential and has three years of experience as an LCSW, with additional experience supporting people with substance use and mood concerns.
Where is she based and licensed?
She practices from New York and holds LCSW credentials in New Jersey and New York, listed as NJ LCSW and NY LCSW.
Which languages are available for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
What session formats does she offer?
Michelle offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to suit different schedules and needs.
How does billing and cost work?
Session costs vary with location and therapist availability; services use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to the therapist's availability.
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