PuttingFamilyFirst

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MT Portrait of Michelle Taverner
Online therapist

Michelle Taverner

Hopeful, practical support for life transitions

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Credentials
LMSW
Experience
13 years
Licensed in
Michigan
Languages
English
Format
Online sessions

About Michelle

Michelle Taverner is a licensed social worker who focuses on helping people move past feeling stuck. She speaks plainly and aims to make sessions relatable for parents and adults who are juggling stress, work, and life changes. Michelle offers practical steps you can try between meetings so progress feels real and achievable.

She draws on 13 years of experience and uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy - which links thoughts, feelings, and actions - and Solution-Focused Therapy - which emphasizes small, concrete changes that add up.

Background and approach

Sessions are shaped around what matters to each person, with clear goals and tools to practice outside of sessions. Michelle has worked in a range of settings as a therapist and group leader. That background informs a direct, down-to-earth style that avoids jargon.

She pays attention to mood concerns such as anxiety, depression, and seasonal shifts, and also helps with issues like self-esteem, relationship stress, parenting concerns, and career decisions. Additional focuses include support around autism and Asperger syndrome, intellectual disability, forgiveness work, and challenges like isolation or compassion fatigue. Those topics are addressed with practical techniques and step-by-step planning rather than abstract theory.

Sessions are offered in English and delivered online or by phone. Michelle aims to help clients find manageable next steps and to track small wins over time.

Approaches that guide online sessions

Michelle uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people notice how thoughts influence feelings and behavior, and then to test new ways of thinking that reduce distress. This approach is useful for anxiety, low mood, and patterns that keep people feeling stuck.

She also uses Solution-Focused Therapy, which centers on small, achievable steps and on building what already works. That method is especially helpful when the goal is quick, practical change like improving routines or handling stressful moments more effectively.

Finding the right approach is part of the work together. The therapist discusses goals and preferences and then suggests techniques that fit the person’s situation. Sessions are collaborative, and methods are adjusted over time based on what helps most.

Online therapy with Michelle is offered through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to make scheduling easier. These formats allow people to work on their goals from home or between responsibilities. The variety of options helps match therapy to different lifestyles and makes it simpler to stay consistent with sessions.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT looks at the link between what you think, how you feel, and what you do. You work on noticing unhelpful patterns and practising steadier responses. It suits online sessions well, because much of the work happens between appointments and can be talked through from anywhere.

Solution-Focused Therapy

Rather than examining the problem at length, this looks at what is already working and builds on it. Sessions tend to be practical and forward-looking, with small achievable steps, which translates readily to shorter online conversations.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns does Michelle address?
She helps with stress, anxiety, depression, self-esteem, relationship and family stress, parenting challenges, career issues, coping with life changes, and compassion fatigue. Other focuses include autism and Asperger syndrome, intellectual disability, forgiveness, isolation, and women and young adult issues.
What is her general therapy style?
Michelle uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Solution-Focused Therapy in a straightforward way. Sessions focus on identifying unhelpful thoughts and trying small, concrete changes to improve daily life.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has 13 years of experience working as a therapist and group leader in various settings. That background informs a practical, down-to-earth approach to common life and mood concerns.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
Michelle holds an LMSW, Michigan license number MI LMSW 6801084942, and is based in Michigan.
Which languages and international options are available?
Sessions are offered in English. She is not accepting international clients at this time.
In what formats are sessions offered?
Therapy is available via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging. These options offer flexibility for different schedules and needs.
How are session costs handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability and sessions are provided through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time. Specific pricing depends on the subscription selected.
What steps are required to begin working together?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to therapist availability. The process is designed to match needs and preferences before beginning.

Specialties and expertise

Top specialties

Also works with

Therapeutic approaches

Experience
13 years
Licensed
Michigan
Languages
English

Next step

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  • Takes a few minutes
  • Nothing to set up just to look
  • Stop at any point
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