Are you or a loved one navigating the complexities of chronic illness, facing the challenges of grief, or experiencing the emotional toll of a serious medical condition? Do you find yourself struggling with the unique demands of perinatal or postpartum care, or supporting a child with special needs?
These experiences can be incredibly overwhelming, but you don’t have to face them without support or guidance.
As a compassionate Licensed Clinical Social Worker, I specialize in supporting individuals and families through the toughest moments of life, including chronic disease management, oncology, terminal illness, and the grief that often accompanies these challenges. I also have a deep commitment to helping mothers during the perinatal period and supporting families of children with autism and other special needs. I have expanded my knowledge with training in eating disorders in adults, children and individuals with special needs, as well as lactation consulting and disordered eating in pregnancy and breastfeeding. My approach is grounded in empathy and evidence-based practices, including narrative therapy, problem-solving, and solution-focused techniques, all aimed at empowering you to navigate your journey with resilience and hope.
With a strong background in healthcare and medical social work, Michelle has devoted her career to supporting individuals facing some of life’s most difficult challenges. Her work in both clinical and community settings, including hospitals and private wellness centers, has equipped her with the skills and experience necessary to provide comprehensive care. Michelle’s experience includes graduate field placements with the Lehigh County Office of Aging and Manito Equine Psychotherapy, which have further enriched her practice.
Michelle is a firm believer in the power of interprofessional collaboration, ensuring that her clients receive the best possible care. She is currently expanding her expertise with additional training in eating disorders, particularly focusing on adults, children, and individuals with special needs, as well as disordered eating during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Michelle’s commitment to her clients is unwavering, and she strives to create a supportive and empowering environment for everyone she works with.
Specialties & Conditions Michelle Supports
Therapeutic Approaches
Types of Therapy Michelle Provides
Licenses & Credentials
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (30922) — Maryland
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LC200002764) — Washington, DC
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (CW23763) — Pennsylvania
Education & Training
- M.S.W., Social Work — The University of New England
- B.A., Psychology — Kean University
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Michelle support people navigating chronic illness?
Yes. Michelle specializes in chronic illness and supports people navigating the emotional and mental health impact of long-term health conditions, including the grief, identity shifts, and anxiety that often accompany them.
Does Michelle provide perinatal or postpartum support?
Yes. Michelle supports people navigating perinatal and postpartum concerns, including the emotional, relational, and mental health challenges that can arise during pregnancy, after birth, and throughout early parenthood.
Does Michelle work with people experiencing grief?
Yes. Grief and loss is one of Michelle’s core specialty areas, and she draws on narrative therapy to help people make sense of difficult experiences and move forward with meaning.
What states is Michelle licensed to practice in?
Michelle is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Maryland, Washington DC, and Pennsylvania, and provides virtual therapy to residents of all three states through Juniper Blu Collective.
Is Michelle accepting new patients?
Yes. Michelle is currently accepting new patients for virtual therapy sessions in Maryland, Washington DC, and Pennsylvania.
What People Share About Working With Michelle
With permission, we share a reflection from someone who has worked with Michelle. Identifying details have been removed to protect privacy.
Michelle is, by far, the best therapist I’ve ever had. Before her I went through four therapists in a year and a half, all of whom treated me like a number and not a real person and had no interest in working with me unless I was actively going through a crisis. Michelle is different. She not only understands my needs and the importance of maintaining our relationship regardless of crisis status, but she clearly sees me, and truly listens, and takes into account each and every thing I’ve told her previously every time we meet.
She genuinely cares and it’s beyond evident in the way that she does therapy. She met me where I was, both the good and the bad, and continues to help see me through extremely difficult times by building upon our relationship and seeing what works best for me as an individual.
She has worked with me through the absolute worst time of my entire life: my young, strong father withering and dying of cancer, including my incredibly difficult new role of caretaking not only for him but for my utterly devastated family, as well as other traumatizing times like my soul cat of 16 years dying, and other daily stressors such as relationships and work issues. At every turn, she hears me. She listens to me. She sees me. And she helps me with whatever I need on that particular day, even when I don’t know what that is or it’s not what she expects.
I also have a psychology background which can be tricky but she has done amazingly well at figuring out what I already know or see vs. what I don’t, and helping guide me in ways I’m not familiar with or can’t see but need. She’s taken time to figure out what style and manner of therapy work for me and I am more grateful than I can ever express to have found her.
Patient with Juniper Blu Collective