Michele Bussell, MA
(she/her)
About me
Hi! I am a licensed Marriage & Family Therapist and registered professional clinical counselor. I received my master's degree from Point Loma Nazarene University and have six years' experience working with children, adolescents, TAY (Transitional aged youth), and adults. My experience bridges mobile crisis interventions, short term and long-term residential treatment programs, school-based counseling programs, adult drug court substance programs, and behavioral health centers.
Get to know me
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
During our initial session, we will begin with introductions, provide an opportunity for you to ask any questions, and then delve into the reasons you are seeking therapy, what has been beneficial for you previously, and your objectives for therapy. This approach will enable us to work together to develop a customized treatment plan for subsequent sessions.
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
I hold the belief that each individual is unique and the foremost authority on their own life experiences. In my practice, I offer a secure environment to freely explore emotions with unconditional positive regard and without judgment, welcoming every aspect of oneself into the therapeutic space.
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
I take pleasure in offering psychoeducation on mental health, particularly concerning anxiety and depression. My clients seek immediate relief and aim to enhance their functioning in affected areas. I believe that knowledge is essential for healing.
Specialties
Top specialties
Anxiety
Depression
Mood Disorders
Other specialties
Child or Adolescent
Coping Skills
Obsessive-Compulsive (OCD)
Peer Relationships
Self Esteem
Substance Misuse
Trauma and PTSD
Women's Issues
Identifies as
Black / African American
Woman
Serves ages
Adults (18 to 64)
Teenagers (13 to 17)
Licensed in
California
Accepts
Aetna
Aetna - ASR Health Benefits
Aetna - Allied Benefits
Aetna - Luminare
Aetna - Medicare
Aetna - Moda
Aetna - WebTPA
Aetna – HealthEZ
All Savers
Ambetter from Health Net
Amerihealth Administrators
Amerihealth NJ Medicare Advantage
Anthem
Blue Cross
Independence Administrators
Independence Blue Cross
Arlo
AvMed
Blue Shield
Blue Shield of California - Medi-Cal
Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan (Medi-Cal)
Blue Shield of California - Medicare
Independence Personal Choice 65 PPO
Independence Keystone 65 HMO
Carelon Behavioral Health (Commercial)
Sutter Health Plan
IHSS Healthy Workers
Cash - $140 per session
Centivo
Central California Alliance for Health (Medi-Cal)
Cigna
Cigna - HealthEZ
EAP:Cigna
EAP:Evernorth
EAP:UnitedHealthcare/Optum
Evernorth
GTEB
Gold Coast Health Plan (Medi-Cal)
Gold Coast Health Plan Total Care Advantage (HMO D-SNP)
Golden Rule
Harvard Pilgrim/UnitedHealthcare
Health Net (Commercial)
Health Net (Medi-Cal)
Community Health Plan of Imperial Valley (Medi-Cal)
CalViva Health (Medi-Cal)
Health Plan of San Joaquin/Mountain Valley Health Plan – Medi-Cal
Humana - Medicare
Humana Dual (Medicare & Medicaid)
L.A. Care PASC-SEIU
L.A. Care Covered
L.A. Care Covered Direct
L.A. Care Health Plan (Medi-Cal)
L.A. Care Medicare Plus (HMO D-SNP)
UnitedHealthcare/Optum
Optum
OptumHealth Complex Medical Conditions
Oscar
Oxford
Partnership HealthPlan of California (Medi-Cal)
SFHP Care Plus (HMO D-SNP)
San Francisco Health Plan (Medi-Cal)
Santa Clara Family Health Plan - Medi-Cal
Scripps Health Plan
Sharp Health Plan
Surest (formerly Bind)
Tufts Health/Cigna
United Medical Resources
UnitedHealthcare Dual (Medicare & Medicaid)
UnitedHealthcare Life Insurance
UnitedHealthcare Shared Services
UnitedHealthcare StudentResources
UnitedHealthcare/Optum - Medicare
UnitedHealthcare Complete Care (C-SNP)
Location
Virtual
My treatment methods
Eclectic
While the reasons for seeking therapy may be common, I understand that each individual is unique. As an integrative therapist, I tailor therapy to the individual's needs. My approach is client-centered, characterized by empathy, reflective listening, and unconditional positive regard. This means: • The client is considered the expert on their own experience. • The client is recognized as doing their best with the resources available to them. • The client is encouraged to explore their feelings without judgment, allowing their whole self to engage in the process. I employ evidence-based practices such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to illustrate the interplay between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, and the capacity to experience dual emotions without being overwhelmed by them. Additionally, I utilize Internal Family Systems (IFS) and Brainspotting to address unresolved issues.
4 ratings with written reviews
May 20, 2025
Michele Bussell is amazing! She is just the therapist I need. We’ve only had a few sessions so far. Her knowledge mixed with being observant has helped me a lot. Thank you so much! Talk to you soon! 😊✨
Verified client, age 25-34
April 14, 2025
I never feel out of wack after speaking with Michelle. She gives me helpful points to look over to help with my mental journey.
Verified client, age 45-54
February 13, 2025
extremely thoughtful, she gave me a chance and is so sweet