- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
- Narrative Therapy
- EMDR
About Michelle
Michelle Zaragoza is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) practicing in California with nine years of experience. She works with adults who are coping with stress, anxiety, relationship strain, career concerns, and life changes. Michelle also focuses on family of origin issues, guilt and shame, and questions about life purpose and self-worth.
Her sessions are collaborative and practical. She listens to the problem you bring, then helps identify small, concrete steps to try between meetings. Michelle uses methods that emphasize values, present-moment awareness, and the stories people tell about their lives to shift unhelpful patterns.
In conversation she gives direct, thoughtful feedback aimed at both short-term relief and longer-term change. Work may include clarifying what matters most, practicing new ways of responding to stress, and reframing old narratives that keep people stuck. She also draws on eye movement desensitization and reprocessing when past events continue to affect everyday functioning.
Sessions tend to be structured toward goals, but with space to talk through difficult feelings. Many clients learn specific coping skills, mindfulness practices, and steps to test different behaviors in real situations. Michelle emphasizes practical strategies that can be used in daily life.
To begin, people complete a short matching questionnaire and schedule a first session. Costs vary by location and are billed through a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
Therapeutic approaches and how they translate to online work
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people clarify what matters to them and take committed steps toward those values. It uses practical exercises and behavioral experiments to reduce avoidance and build meaningful habits, which can be practiced between sessions. Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening and reflecting so clients can find their own solutions; it supports self-direction and honest conversation about family patterns and personal goals. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is used when past events continue to have an impact; it combines focused memory processing with guided attention methods to lessen emotional charge.Choosing the right approach is part of the work. The therapist and client decide together which methods to try based on the client’s needs, goals, and preferences. That collaborative process can include trying different techniques and evaluating what helps most in everyday life.
Confirm the specific session formats before booking, since the biography does not list formats explicitly. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy routine, such as shorter check-ins during a lunch break, sessions without video if someone prefers, or working from a quieter location that reduces travel time. These practical options help integrate therapy into daily life while keeping the focus on skills, values, and changing long-standing family patterns.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
9+ years
Listed in
California
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she address?
She works with stress, anxiety, relationship issues, career challenges, and coping with life changes. Additional focus areas include family of origin issues, guilt and shame, and self-love.
What is her therapeutic style?
She uses a collaborative, practical approach that focuses on concrete steps and measurable goals. Sessions combine discussion, skill building, and feedback to address immediate problems and longer-term patterns.
How much experience does she have?
She has nine years of professional counseling experience working with adults on a range of concerns.
What credentials and location are listed?
She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) licensed in California and practices there.
Which languages are sessions offered in?
Sessions are offered in English.
Are international clients accepted?
International clients are not currently accepted.
How are sessions billed and what do they cost?
Costs vary with location and sessions are billed through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I start working with her?
Begin by selecting the See online therapy options button, completing a short matching questionnaire, and scheduling your first session.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger, use the emergency numbers. Looking for someone else? Find them by surname.