PuttingFamilyFirst

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MK Portrait of Michele Koenes
Online therapist

Michele Koenes

Practical, steady support for stressful times

Credentials
LMSW, LCSW
Experience
11 years
Licensed in
Michigan, California, New Hampshire
Languages
English
Format
Online sessions

About Michele

Michele Koenes is a licensed social worker who focuses on helping people tackle stress, anxiety, depression, parenting concerns, and life transitions. She uses clear, practical conversation to help people manage daily struggles and make small changes that add up. Michele aims to listen first and move at a pace that feels comfortable to each person.

She brings 11 years of professional experience across clinical settings. That background includes work in both inpatient and outpatient care, where she supported adults and older adults with a range of mental health issues.

Background and approach

Prior careers as a litigation attorney and as a teacher contribute to her ability to explain things plainly and to stay organized during difficult conversations. Michele blends several therapy methods to suit each person. She draws on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to help people live with difficult thoughts while focusing on meaningful values.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy helps with changing unhelpful thought and behavior patterns. She also uses Client-Centered and Attachment-Based approaches when building trust and understanding how relationships shape feelings. Her style is collaborative and responsive.

Michele prioritizes empathy and lets people set the pace for sessions. She creates space for all parts of a person, including ones that feel hard to share. Located in Michigan, Michele holds the Licensed Master Social Worker credential and the Licensed Clinical Social Worker credential.

She works with common concerns such as grief, trauma, self-esteem, ADHD, substance issues, sleep and eating problems, caregiving stress, and compassion fatigue. She aims to help people find practical steps forward and steadier ground over time.

How therapy approaches fit into online sessions

Michele commonly uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in her work. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on helping people accept difficult thoughts and feelings and take action that aligns with their values, which can help with anxiety, depression, and life transitions. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at patterns of thinking and behavior and teaches practical skills to change reactions and habits, which is useful for anxiety, mood concerns, and sleep or eating problems.

Deciding which approach to use is a collaborative process. Michele listens to each person's goals and preferences and then suggests methods that match those needs. Together the therapist and client check in regularly to see what is helping and adjust the plan as needed.

Online sessions make this work flexible. Video and phone sessions allow for face-to-face conversation when that feels helpful, while live chat and text messaging can provide shorter check-ins, reminders, or support between longer meetings. These options can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy schedule and to keep momentum when life gets hectic.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Less about arguing with difficult thoughts, more about loosening their grip and acting on what matters to you anyway. Values and committed action carry the work, which suits conversation at a distance.

Attachment-Based Therapy

Looks at how early bonds shaped what you expect from closeness, and how that plays out now with a partner, a parent, or your own children.

Client-Centered Therapy

The direction comes from you rather than from a set programme. The therapist offers a warm, non-judgemental space to think out loud and work at your own pace. Online, this rests on the relationship rather than on being in the same room.

Frequently asked questions

What issues does Michele commonly address?
She works with a broad set of concerns including stress, anxiety, depression, parenting challenges, trauma and abuse, grief, self-esteem, addictions, sleep and eating issues, and coping with life changes.
What is her general therapy style?
Michele uses a collaborative, responsive approach that emphasizes empathy and pacing set by the client. She mixes talk and practical exercises to help people make gradual changes.
What experience does she bring to sessions?
She has 11 years of experience working in inpatient and outpatient mental health settings and has also worked as a litigation attorney and a teacher, which influence her clear communication and problem-solving style.
What credentials and location are listed?
She holds the Licensed Master Social Worker credential and the Licensed Clinical Social Worker credential. Her practice is based in Michigan and the license details include MI LMSW 6801065517 and CA LCSW 118004.
Which languages are sessions offered in?
Sessions are offered in English.
In what session formats can clients meet with Michele?
She meets with clients using video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging.
How does cost and billing work?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with Michele?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, completing a short matching questionnaire, and then scheduling according to the therapist's availability.

Next step

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