- Client-centered focus
- Practical skills
- Compassionate listening
About Michele
Michele Petersmark is a licensed counselor with 20 years of experience. She uses a client-centered approach to build a respectful, compassionate space where people can talk through what matters most to them.
Michele focuses on stress, anxiety, depression, self-esteem, and relationship concerns. She also helps with coping through life changes, grief, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, and sleep or eating concerns. Her experience includes mood and personality disorders as well as ADHD and bipolar concerns.
She works in plain language and adapts each conversation to the person in the room. Michele aims to listen first, then help set clear goals that feel realistic. This may include short-term coping skills, problem-solving steps, or longer work on relationship patterns and self-worth.
Michele draws on methods such as cognitive behavioral techniques, dialectical behavior ideas, mindfulness practices, and solution-focused steps alongside her client-centered stance. She matches tools to the issue at hand and to each person’s pace.
People who contact her often want practical ways to reduce worry, make decisions, improve relationships, or regain motivation. Michele encourages small, steady changes and checks in regularly to see how a plan is working. She invites anyone ready to try therapy to take the next step and begin the process.
How Michele’s Approaches Translate to Online Sessions
Michele uses a client-centered stance that keeps the person’s needs first, so conversations start with listening and understanding what matters most to the client. Client-centered work helps with self-esteem, life transitions, grief, and relationship concerns by focusing on what each person brings to the room.She also uses cognitive behavioral therapy, which looks at the links between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and teaches practical skills to reduce anxiety and depressive patterns. Dialectical behavior therapy contributes emotion regulation and distress tolerance tools that are helpful for intense moods, impulsivity, and relationship challenges.
Finding the right mix of approaches is part of the work. Michele will collaborate with each person to decide which methods fit their goals, preferences, and daily life. She checks in often and adjusts the plan based on progress and feedback.
The original biography does not list specific session formats, so confirm current online options before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy day, shorten travel time, and allow for different session rhythms such as brief check-ins or standard-length visits. Licensed professionals can adapt exercises, worksheets, and mindfulness practices to an online setting to keep work practical and goal-focused.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
20+ years
Listed in
Illinois
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does Michele address?
She helps people with stress, anxiety, depression, self-esteem, relationship struggles, grief, trauma and related issues like sleep and eating problems.
How would you describe Michele's therapeutic style?
Michele practices a client-centered approach and pairs it with practical techniques from CBT, DBT, mindfulness, and solution-focused work to meet individual goals.
What is her professional background?
She has 20 years of professional experience working in counseling and related settings.
What are her credentials and location?
Michele holds an LCPC license and is based in Illinois.
Which languages and international clients are supported?
Sessions are offered in English and she accepts international clients.
What session formats are available?
The original biography does not list specific session formats; confirm current session options before booking.
How does cost and billing work?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I get started?
Select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger, use the crisis numbers.