- Years in practice
- 21
- Credentials
- LMFT
- Licensed in
- Texas
- Languages
- English
- Focus
- Trauma and abuse
- Focus
- Parenting issues
- Focus
- Self esteem
About Michelle
Michelle Tarbell is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) based in Texas with more than 21 years of clinical experience. She focuses on helping people facing parenting challenges, trauma and abuse, anxiety, depression, and stress. Her manner is straightforward and practical, aimed at people looking for clear steps to manage difficult moments.
In sessions she follows a client-centered style, so the person seeking help steers the work. Michelle collaborates on goals and tailors each meeting to what matters most in that moment.
Background and approach
Conversations move toward skills and small changes that can make daily life feel more manageable. She brings long experience with grief, anger, compassion fatigue, and self-esteem concerns. Michelle also supports people dealing with family issues, attachment questions, adoption and foster care matters, and transitions like divorce and separation.
She listens for patterns that keep problems cycling and helps clients try different responses. Michelle is familiar with ADHD-related struggles, dissociation, and feelings of emptiness or abandonment. She also addresses caregiving strain and blended family challenges, helping people set boundaries and improve communication.
Her work touches both practical strategies and emotional processing. Sessions are offered in English and take place online through video calls, phone, live chat, or text messaging. Michelle aims to work with adults and teens in individual formats on this platform, using a collaborative, goal-focused approach.
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.
- Trauma and abuse
- Parenting issues
- Self esteem
- Depression
- Coping with life changes
- Stress, Anxiety
- LGBT
- Family conflicts
- Grief
- Anger management
- Compassion fatigue
- ADHD
- Abandonment
- Adoption and foster care
- Aging and geriatric issues
- Attachment issues
- Blended family issues
- Caregiver issues and stress
- Codependency
- Commitment issues
- Communication problems
- Control issues
- Dependent personality
- Dissociation
- Divorce and separation
- Domestic violence
- Emptiness
- Family of origin issues
- Family problems
- Fertility issues
- Forgiveness
- Gender dysphoria
- Guilt and shame
- Isolation / loneliness
- Jealousy
- Life purpose
- Midlife crisis
- Money and financial issues
- Mood disorders
- Multicultural concerns
- Narcissism
- Polyamory / non-monogamous relationships
- Post-traumatic stress
- Prejudice and discrimination
- Process addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)
- Self-harm
- Self-love
- Social anxiety and phobia
- Women's issues
- Workplace issues
- Young adult issues
Approaches Michelle lists
Listing an approach is not evidence of training in it. This directory copies what each therapist names and does not check training records.
Client-centered care and online flexibility
Client-centered therapy focuses on listening closely to each person's experience and following their lead. The therapist reflects concerns, asks clarifying questions, and helps the client set meaningful goals; this approach can be useful for parenting challenges, anxiety, depression, grief, and navigating life changes.Michelle pairs client-centered work with practical goal-setting in sessions so people can try concrete steps between meetings. That combination helps when coping with stress, improving communication, addressing attachment or adoption-related questions, or managing caregiver strain. The therapist collaborates with the client to find what fits their situation and adjusts the approach over time.
Online formats make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life. Video calls allow face-to-face conversation for in-depth work, phone sessions can be a lower-bandwidth option for shorter check-ins, and live chat or text-based messaging are useful for quick reflections or ongoing support between sessions. These options offer flexibility so people can choose the format that best matches their schedule, comfort with being on camera, and the kind of check-ins they need.
Questions people ask about Michelle
What kinds of concerns can Michelle help with?
She works with a broad range of issues including parenting challenges, trauma and abuse, anxiety, depression, stress, grief, self-esteem, ADHD-related struggles, and family dynamics.
How would you describe her therapeutic style?
Her approach is client-centered, meaning the client helps direct sessions while the therapist supports goal setting and practical steps to address problems.
What is her background and experience?
She has over 21 years of clinical experience and has run a independent practice for many years, working with individuals facing significant life changes and challenges.
Where is she licensed and practicing?
She is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a Texas LMFT credential and provides services while located in Texas.
Which languages are supported for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
What session formats are available online?
She offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to suit different needs and schedules.
How is cost handled for therapy?
Cost varies by location and therapist availability; sessions 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 the short matching questionnaire, and schedule sessions based on the therapist's availability.
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