- Years in practice
- 20
- Credentials
- LPC
- Licensed in
- New Jersey
- Languages
- English
- Focus
- Stress, Anxiety
- Focus
- Relationship issues
- Focus
- Family conflicts
About Michelle
Michelle Lakefield is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in New Jersey with over 20 years of experience. She focuses on helping people manage stress, anxiety, depression, and parenting concerns. Michelle aims to make the first step easier by offering a calm, nonjudgmental presence for those who feel overwhelmed.
Her approach centers on listening closely and tailoring work to each person's needs. She uses Client-Centered Therapy to prioritize the client's perspective and create a supportive space for honest conversation.
Background and approach
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, is used to identify and shift unhelpful thinking patterns that feed anxiety or low mood. Michelle also draws on Solution-Focused Therapy to help clients set clear, manageable goals and find practical steps toward them. Internal Family Systems helps people understand internal conflicts and the different parts that influence behavior and emotions.
These methods are blended to match what each person brings to a session. She has particular experience with relationship and intimacy concerns, grief, trauma and abuse, parenting challenges, ADHD, and caregiving stress. Additional focus areas include blended family issues, communication problems, codependency, and forgiveness work.
Michelle speaks English and works with clients in New Jersey and beyond. Sessions are offered in several online formats to fit busy lives. The goal is to help people build skills for coping with life changes and to restore a greater sense of balance and confidence.
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
- Family conflicts
- Grief
- Anger management
- LGBT
- Trauma and abuse
- Intimacy-related issues
- Eating disorders
- Parenting issues
- Self esteem
- Bipolar disorder
- Depression
- Coping with life changes
- Compassion fatigue
- ADHD
- Autism and Asperger Syndrome
- Blended family issues
- Caregiver issues and stress
- Co-morbidity
- Codependency
- Commitment issues
- Communication problems
- Control issues
- Divorce and separation
- Domestic violence
- Emptiness
- Family of origin issues
- Family problems
- Fatherhood issues
- Forgiveness
- Infidelity
- Intellectual disability
- Isolation / loneliness
- Jealousy
- Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD
- Postpartum depression
- Pregnancy and childbirth
- Self-harm
- Social anxiety and phobia
- Workplace issues
- Young adult issues
Approaches Michelle lists
- Client-Centered Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Solution-Focused Therapy
- Internal Family Systems
Listing an approach is not evidence of training in it. This directory copies what each therapist names and does not check training records.
How Michelle’s Approaches Work Online
Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening and creating an accepting space where a person can talk through their worries and goals. This approach helps people feel heard and guides the pace of work based on what matters most to them.Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, looks at the connection between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. It provides concrete tools for managing anxiety, depression, and stress by identifying patterns and trying new behavioral experiments.
Finding the right approach is part of the work together. Michelle collaborates with each person to choose methods that match their goals, preferences, and daily life. This might mean starting with supportive listening, adding CBT tools, or using short solution-focused steps to build momentum.
Online sessions are offered by video calls, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging to fit different routines. Video calls let people use visual cues and more in-depth conversation. Phone sessions work well when bandwidth or camera use is limited. Live chat or text messaging can be useful for brief check-ins, quick problem-solving, or when a shorter touchpoint fits a busy day. These options make it easier to keep therapy consistent and to use the approaches above in practical ways.
Questions people ask about Michelle
What concerns does Michelle commonly address?
She helps with stress, anxiety, depression, parenting concerns, grief, anger, trauma and abuse, and intimacy-related issues among others.
What is her general therapy style?
Michelle blends client-centered listening with practical tools from cognitive behavioral and solution-focused work to set goals and change unhelpful thoughts.
How much clinical experience does she have?
Michelle brings 20 years of professional work experience as a licensed clinician in New Jersey.
What credentials and location apply to her practice?
She holds the Licensed Professional Counselor credential (LPC) and practices from New Jersey.
Which languages and international arrangements are supported?
Sessions are offered in English and she accepts international clients.
What session formats are available?
Therapy can take place via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to suit different schedules and needs.
How is cost handled for sessions?
Cost varies by location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What are the steps to begin working together?
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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