(she/her)
Hi! My name is Michelle Nelson, I'm a Licensed Clinical Social Worker based out of Northern California. I obtained both my bachelors and masters degrees from San Jose State University and am a Bay Area native. I have over 11 years of mental health experience, including work with children, families and adults facing various mental health and substance use challenges. I love working with individuals with complex needs and challenges and am passionate about building a supportive, empathic and strength-based relationship with the individuals I work with. I acknowledge and understand how important and integral it is to find the right therapist to fit your unique needs and would be honored to be a part of your recovery journey.
In our first session, you can expect to get to know me, and I to get to know you. First sessions are an opportunity for you to flush out if my approach is one that resonates with you and for us to talk about how we can work together to help address what brings you to therapy.
I enjoy utilizing motivational interviewing in our initial sessions to assess, evaluate and develop a plan to help you achieve your goals. The treatments utilized in our sessions will be unique to you and your needs. In addition to motivational interviewing, I am experienced with cognitive behavioral, dialectical behavioral and psychodynamic techniques and approaches in treatment.
I have had the greatest success and fulfillment in working with individuals with complex needs, serious mental illness, addiction and substance use, trauma and justice involvement. I am very passionate about the field of mental health overall, and truly feel like I've found my calling in helping people.
I love working with clients who are new to therapy and are open to a more "out of the box," non-conventional approach at talk therapy. My clients often share that I am non-judgmental, engaging and creative in my approach and our sessions are truly collaborative.
1 rating with written reviews
July 28, 2025
I have worked with Michelle for over two years, and in that time I've experienced a dramatic decrease in symptoms and substantial improvement to my mental health and overall well-being. Her authentic communication empowers me to take crucial steps toward self-improvement, and she constantly helps me reframe my thinking, but always in a non-judgmental manner. I cannot overstate how crucial Michelle's guidance has been throughout my journey!