Works with
- Anger
- Addictions
- Grief
- Anger management
- Depression
- Coping with life changes
How Michelle works
Practical facts
- Credentials
- LCSW
- Licensed in
- New Jersey, New York
- Years in practice
- 3
- Languages
- English
- Session format
- Online, through our partner platform
About Michelle
Michelle DeFino is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who helps people facing anger, addiction, anxiety, depression, grief, and major life changes. She offers calm, straightforward support so clients can talk through problems and find practical next steps. Michelle works from New York and conducts sessions in English.
Michelle draws on several practical approaches to meet each person's needs. She uses client-centered methods to listen and follow what matters most to the client.
Background and approach
She also employs cognitive behavioral techniques to help identify unhelpful thoughts and change patterns that fuel anger or anxiety. Dialectical behavior therapy skills and mindfulness practices feature in her work to teach emotional regulation and increase focus. Motivational interviewing helps when people want change but feel stuck or unsure where to begin.
Sessions are aimed at small, concrete actions rather than long theoretical discussions. Her background includes work with substance use and people with mood disorders. She has three years of documented experience as an LCSW and has recent work supporting re-entry and addiction-related programs.
That history shapes how she approaches challenges like impulsivity, codependency, and caregiver stress. In a typical session Michelle listens first, then helps set short-term goals and manageable strategies. She often suggests skills to practice between sessions, such as breathing exercises or brief behavioral experiments.
The aim is steady progress, one step at a time.
What Michelle works with
Everything Michelle lists, in the therapist's own terms. Anger is the reason this directory exists; the rest tells you what usually sits alongside it in Michelle's practice.
- Addictions
- Grief
- Anger management
- Depression
- Coping with life changes
- Stress, Anxiety
- Relationship issues
- Trauma and abuse
- Parenting issues
- Self esteem
- Bipolar disorder
- Aging and geriatric issues
- Caregiver issues and stress
- Codependency
- Communication problems
- Control issues
- Coping with natural or human-caused disaster
- Impulsivity
- Money and financial issues
- Social anxiety and phobia
Approaches Michelle lists
- Client-Centered Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- Mindfulness Therapy
- Motivational Interviewing
- Solution-Focused Therapy
Listing an approach is not evidence of training in it. This directory copies what each therapist names and does not check training records.
How Michelle's Approaches Work Online
Michelle often uses cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behavior therapy in online sessions. CBT involves noticing thought patterns that lead to anger or anxiety and testing new ways of thinking and acting. It is helpful for stress, depression, and impulsive reactions. DBT focuses on emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness skills that can reduce explosive responses and improve relationships. She also uses client-centered techniques to keep the work focused on each person's priorities. That means she will listen carefully, validate what’s happening, and collaborate on goals. Together the therapist and client decide which approaches fit best for the issue at hand and adjust methods as progress is tracked. Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. Video sessions let the therapist and client read facial cues and practice skills together. Phone sessions can work when bandwidth is limited or for shorter check-ins. Live chat and text messaging are useful for brief strategy prompts, in-the-moment coaching, or when writing helps clarify thoughts. These options make it easier to fit therapy into a busy schedule and to use techniques in real-life moments.Questions people ask about Michelle
What concerns does she commonly address?
She works with people dealing with anger, addictions, depression, anxiety, grief, stress, relationship problems, trauma, bipolar disorder, parenting strain, and self-esteem difficulties.
How would you describe her therapeutic style?
Her style is practical and client-centered. She listens first, then uses tools like cognitive behavioral strategies, DBT skills, mindfulness, and motivational interviewing to set small, achievable goals.
What is her clinical background?
She has three years of documented experience as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and has worked with substance use and mood disorder populations, including recent re-entry substance abuse programs.
Where is she licensed and based?
She holds LCSW licensure in New Jersey and New York and practices from New York.
Which languages are supported for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can international clients work with her?
International clients are not currently accepted.
What session formats are available?
She offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to fit different schedules and communication preferences.
How are costs handled and how do I begin?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time. To start, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule based on availability.