Michelle Fennessy , LCSW

Michelle Fennessy is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) practicing in Florida with two decades of clinical experience. She holds a Master of Social Work from Columbia University and a Bachelor of Psychology from Mount Holyoke College, and she brings that academic grounding together with practical, empathetic care. Michelle encourages people to recognize the courage it takes to seek help and aims to create an environment where individuals can safely explore difficult feelings and life transitions.

Her training included being a therapy client herself, an experience that shaped her appreciation for how gradual the process of opening up can be and how meaningful the change often becomes. Michelle draws from a strengths perspective and goal-oriented methods alongside cognitive behavioral techniques to help clients shift unhelpful patterns. She also integrates energy psychology ideas and, when relevant, discusses practices such as the Law of Attraction with clients who find that framework helpful.

Michelle works with a wide range of concerns, including anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, relationship and intimacy issues, addiction-related behaviors, parenting and family dynamics, career stress, and compassion fatigue. She has specific experience supporting people in mid-marriage crises and the unique stressors of expatriate life. Michelle emphasizes practical strategies to modify self-destructive habits and to cultivate thoughts and actions that lead to greater well-being. She believes every person has strengths and that with focused work people can create a life they love and that loves them back.

Therapeutic Approaches and the Benefits of Remote Care

Michelle Fennessy uses evidence-informed approaches that translate well to online work. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thought and behavior patterns; it teaches practical skills for managing anxiety, depression, stress, and many forms of self-destructive behavior. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people clarify their values and take meaningful actions even when difficult thoughts or feelings are present - it can be especially useful for coping with grief, trauma, and chronic stress. Mindfulness Therapy cultivates present-moment awareness and helps reduce reactivity to strong emotions, supporting recovery from anxiety, overwhelm, and compassion fatigue.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and Michelle works collaboratively with each person to determine which methods best match their needs, goals, and preferences. She adapts techniques over time so therapy fits the individual rather than forcing a single model.

Online therapy offers practical flexibility - sessions can happen by video call, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging - and that variety helps people maintain continuity of care around work, family, travel, or living overseas. For many, remote appointments make it easier to access licensed professionals and stay consistent with the strategies and goals developed in therapy.