- 26 years experience
- Focus on grief
- Evening and weekend
About Michele
Michele Lewis is a licensed social worker who helps people facing grief, trauma, anxiety, and life transitions. She brings 26 years of experience and a straightforward, warm style that aims to make hard conversations easier to start.
Michele focuses on helping people express their true feelings and find practical ways to feel more like themselves again. She supports adults coping with caregiving stress, grief after loss, changes that come with aging, and the deep ache of loneliness or emptiness. Money and financial issues are listed among her areas of focus and may be addressed as they relate to a client's life stressors.
Her approach is accepting and client-centered. Sessions are meant to be a place without judgment where people can try new ways of thinking and behaving. Michele uses a mix of strategies to reduce anxiety and depression, improve mood, and build communication and coping skills.
She draws on techniques from cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness, emotion-focused work, and acceptance-based approaches to fit each person's needs. Michele also integrates stress management, mind-body connection, and empowerment work to help people manage day-to-day challenges.
Michele holds a Master of Social Work from the University of Kansas and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from William Jewell College. She is licensed as an Iowa LISW and a Missouri LCSW and offers evening and weekend appointments to accommodate busy schedules.
How Michele’s approaches translate to online care
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) encourages people to notice thoughts and feelings without getting stuck in them, then choose actions that match their values. This helps with anxiety, depression, and decisions around life changes. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on spotting unhelpful thinking patterns and testing new behaviors to reduce symptoms like worry and low mood. It is often used for stress, depression, and coping skills. Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes a respectful, nonjudgmental relationship where the person sets the pace and topics for each session.Choosing the right approach is part of the work together. Michele will listen to your goals and preferences and suggest strategies that fit your situation. The first few meetings are often about figuring out what feels most helpful and then adjusting as you go.
If you are interested in online care, confirm the specific session formats available before booking since the biography does not list them. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions around work or caregiving, reduce travel time, and allow shorter check-ins when needed. Licensed professionals can use the same ACT, CBT, and client-centered techniques over distance to help you practice skills and track progress in everyday life.
Areas of focus
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does Michele commonly help with?
She works with people dealing with trauma and abuse, grief, depression, anxiety, self-esteem, stress, and life changes. She also addresses caregiver stress, aging issues, chronic illness, and relationship and communication problems.
How would you describe her therapeutic style?
Michele uses a warm, accepting, client-centered style that encourages self-discovery and practical skill-building. Sessions focus on trying new ways of thinking and building strategies for mood and anxiety management.
What is her professional background?
She has worked as a therapist for 26 years and has experience in geriatrics, grief work, and trauma-related care. Her background includes both clinical and counseling roles over many years.
What credentials and location apply to her practice?
She holds a Master of Social Work and is credentialed as an IA LISW and a MO LCSW. Her practice is based in Missouri.
Which languages and international clients are supported?
Sessions are offered in English. She is not accepting international clients at this time.
What session formats are available?
Please confirm current session formats before booking, as the biography does not specify which formats are offered. Check session options when you schedule.
How are fees and payment handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability, and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time. Exact pricing will be provided during scheduling.
What are the first steps to begin working together?
Use the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule according to therapist availability.