Rated 5.0 stars out of 5, 46 ratings

Michelle MacPherson

LCSW, 25 years of experience

Authentic
Solution oriented
Warm
Virtual
Next available on

About me

Welcome! Whether you're struggling with depression, anxiety, relationship challenges, or simply feeling "stuck," I'm here to help you restore balance and move toward a life of fulfillment. I strive to help you feel supported, understood, and empowered to make lasting changes. My approach is solution-focused, goal-oriented, compassionate and client-centered. I work with you in partnership to help uncover solutions to your challenges so we don't get "stuck" on the problems themselves. I've enjoyed helping adults navigate life's most difficult transitions for the last 25 years and I'd like to help you, too. By focusing on the skills of distress tolerance, emotional regulation, mindfulness and interpersonal effectiveness, we can begin to feel more in control of our day to day responses to stressors. I provide sessions geared towards formulating, motivating, achieving, and sustaining desired behavioral change. It helps you get "unstuck" and back in control! One of the most rewarding aspects of my work is seeing clients set meaningful, value-driven goals and achieving them. That's why I partner with you to ensure you are empowered to reach your full potential. As you work through life's transitions, I will be there to guide, encourage, and challenge you to push past obstacles and create the life you want. Visit my website at www.valued-directions.com to find out more about my approach to therapy

Get to know me

In our first session together, here's what you can expect

Our sessions will include a thorough exploration and assessment of your goals, psychoeducation to outline the science behind the therapeutic modalities we will use, collaboration in allowing you to choose an evidence based modality that most suits you, challenging questions to help you gain greater insight and awareness and homework assignments that will help you reach the goals identified during treatment. Visit my website at www.valued-directions.com to find out more about my approach to therapy

The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions

Having worked with active duty service members and busy civilian populations, I have developed a clinical skill set that allows me to deliver efficient, effective evidence based modalities that are designed to deliver you therapeutic results in the most timely manner. Visit my website at www.valued-directions.com to find out more about my approach to therapy

The clients I'm best positioned to serve

My clients generally feel "stuck" and are seeking help in improving their mood, their relationships and their feelings of being overwhelmed. I help my clients develop a tool box of coping skills to take into their day to day lives based on a personalized assessment of need. I am best suited to working with adults over 35 years of age, who are looking for greater insight and understanding of their interpersonal dynamics. I am highly effective in helping adults manage self-sabotaging behaviors and developing more effective coping skills to maximize therapeutic gains. Visit my website at www.valued-directions.com to find out more about my approach to therapy

Specialties

Top specialties

Depression

Other specialties

AddictionAnger ManagementMilitary/VeteransSelf Esteem

I identify as

Serves ages

My treatment methods

Acceptance and commitment (ACT)

A.C.T. accepts that difficult emotions are an inevitable part of our lives, and that we can learn to adapt to difficult emotions without avoiding or suppressing them. In using this therapy, I help my clients make choices that are aligned with their values, rather than their emotions and help develop psychological flexibility, which can help us live more meaningful lives

Dialectical Behavior (DBT)

My clients find this therapeutic approach the most helpful when learning to develop coping mechanisms for difficult and stressful life situations. By focusing on the skills of distress tolerance, emotional regulation, mindfulness and interpersonal effectiveness, clients can begin to feel more in control of their day to day responses to stressors.

Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)

C.B.T. is based on the idea that our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are interconnected, and that changing one can help improve the others. It's a practical, goal-oriented approach that helps my clients and I focus on changing negative and unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors. CBT can lead to significant improvements in mood, anxiety levels, and overall mental well-being.

Solution Focused Brief Treatment

Many clients seek treatment during periods where they feel "stuck". This therapy is a short-term goal-focused evidence-based therapeutic approach, which helps clients by constructing solutions rather than focusing on problems. In the most basic sense, SFBT is a hope friendly, positive emotion eliciting, future-oriented vehicle for formulating, motivating, achieving, and sustaining desired behavioral change. It helps us get "unstuck"!

Location

Virtual
Rated 5.0 stars out of 5, 46 ratings

3 ratings with written reviews

March 28, 2025

Michelle is amazing!!! Best therapist ever! So kind, provides helpful techniques. Knows her stuff!

Verified client, age 25-34

Review shared after session 4 with Michelle

March 25, 2025

Absolutely love her and her compassionate, authentic approach. So grateful for Michelle.

Verified client, age 45-54

Review shared after session 5 with Michelle

March 4, 2025

She’s really great and easy to talk to. I felt relief in the first session alone. Booking some more sessions :-)

Verified client, age 35-44

Review shared after session 1 with Michelle