- Years in practice
- 6
- Credentials
- LCSW
- Licensed in
- California, Alaska
- Languages
- English
- Focus
- Stress, Anxiety
- Focus
- Relationship issues
- Focus
- Parenting issues
About Michelle
Michelle Ely is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) who practices from Alaska. She draws on six years as an LCSW and many prior years in social work to guide people through stress, anxiety, grief, and relationship concerns. Michelle focuses on parenting-related challenges alongside anger, trauma and abuse, and issues that affect self-esteem and life transitions.
Her sessions are warm and interactive. She speaks plainly and listens for the strengths you already have.
Background and approach
Michelle aims to be respectful and direct while helping people name what feels hard and try new ways of responding. Michelle adapts her methods to fit each person’s needs rather than using a fixed formula. That means conversations, practical exercises, and real-life problem solving when a situation calls for it.
She often helps people reduce distress, improve communication, and manage intense emotions through step-by-step work. She has experience supporting people with compassion fatigue, career questions, LGBT concerns, and intimacy-related struggles. Additional areas she addresses include blended family issues, caregiver stress, and family of origin topics.
Michelle also works with people affected by divorce, forgiveness issues, and feelings of guilt or shame. Her approach is collaborative: she treats clients as the experts on their lives and builds plans around each person’s goals. Beginning therapy can feel hard, and Michelle makes space for that courage while helping clients take practical next steps.
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.
- Stress, Anxiety
- Relationship issues
- Parenting issues
- Anger management
- LGBT
- Family conflicts
- Trauma and abuse
- Grief
- Intimacy-related issues
- Self esteem
- Career difficulties
- Depression
- Coping with life changes
- Compassion fatigue
- Autism and Asperger Syndrome
- Blended family issues
- Caregiver issues and stress
- Communication problems
- Divorce and separation
- Family of origin issues
- Family problems
- Forgiveness
- Guilt and shame
- Intellectual disability
- Life purpose
- Veteran and Armed Forces Issues
- Women's issues
Evidence-based approaches and how they fit online
Michelle uses evidence-based therapeutic techniques that focus on practical skills and emotional understanding. One common approach she uses teaches breathing, grounding, and behavior strategies to reduce anxiety and manage anger. These tools help people calm intense feelings and handle stressful moments more easily.Another approach centers on improving communication and problem solving in relationships and parenting. This involves practicing new ways to talk, set limits, and solve everyday conflicts so conversations feel clearer and less reactive. These methods are useful for relationship strain, parenting challenges, and intimacy-related concerns.
Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. Michelle works with each person to decide which techniques match their goals and situation. She adapts exercises and discussions over time so the work stays relevant to what the client wants to change.
Online therapy offers flexibility and makes it easier to fit sessions into a busy life. Video calls allow face-to-face conversation and visual cues, phone sessions can be a quicker check-in or work better when bandwidth is limited, and live chat or text messaging supports brief updates or ongoing reflection between sessions. These options let people use methods that suit their schedule and comfort while still working with licensed professionals.
Questions people ask about Michelle
What kinds of concerns does Michelle address?
She helps with stress, anxiety, depression, relationship issues, parenting challenges, anger, grief, trauma and abuse, self-esteem, and coping with life changes.
What is her general therapy style?
Her style is warm, interactive, and direct. Sessions focus on listening, practical steps, and clear communication to help you move forward.
What experience does she bring?
Michelle has six years as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and additional prior experience as a social worker, working across a range of emotional and relationship concerns.
Where is she licensed and based?
She holds a Licensed Clinical Social Worker credential in California and Alaska and practices from Alaska.
Which languages are supported?
Sessions are offered in English.
What formats are offered for sessions?
Sessions are available by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.
How are fees and billing handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription 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 according to therapist availability.
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