Michelle Zaragoza, LCSW
Practical, collaborative therapy for busy lives
Details
| Name | Michelle Zaragoza |
|---|---|
| Credentials | LCSW |
| Based in | California |
| Licensed in | California |
| Session format | Online |
| Languages | English |
| Years in practice | 9 |
About Michelle
Michelle Zaragoza is a licensed clinical social worker in California with nine years of experience. She helps people manage stress, anxiety, relationship concerns, and career challenges. Her short, direct style aims to make therapy feel practical and doable for busy lives.
Michelle prefers a collaborative approach. She works with clients to set clear goals and build everyday skills that fit their routines. Sessions focus on small, concrete steps that add up to real change over time.
Background and approach
Her work draws on Narrative Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, client-centered principles, EMDR, and mindfulness practices. She blends these methods to match each person’s needs rather than following a single formula. That means the shape of therapy can shift as goals and circumstances change.
Michelle often helps people untangle family of origin issues, cope with guilt and shame, and explore life purpose. She also supports those facing mood challenges, workplace stress, and women's issues. Her aim is to help people build self-love and more stable coping patterns.
Sessions are offered by video call, phone, live chat, or text messaging. The subscription-based model can be canceled at any time. To begin, a short questionnaire is used to match people and schedule sessions according to therapist availability.
What this therapist works with
Her listing names Stress, Anxiety, Relationship issues, Career difficulties among the things Michelle works with, alongside the areas below.
- Stress, Anxiety
- Relationship issues
- Career difficulties
- Coping with life changes
- Family of origin issues
- Guilt and shame
- Life purpose
- Mood disorders
- Self-love
- Women's issues
- Workplace issues
Approaches listed
- Narrative Therapy: Named in her listing among her approaches.
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): Listed by Michelle among the ways she works.
- Client-Centered Therapy: Listed by Michelle among the ways she works.
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR): Listed by Michelle among the ways she works.
- Mindfulness Therapy: Listed by Michelle among the ways she works.
- Solution-Focused Therapy: Listed by Michelle among the ways she works.
- Somatic Therapy: Listed by Michelle among the ways she works.
- Trauma-Focused Therapy: Listed by Michelle among the ways she works.
- Training stated: This directory copies the approaches a therapist names and does not check training records. Ask Michelle directly how much of the work is narrative and what a session usually looks like.
Narrative Therapy in this listing
Narrative Therapy appears in this therapist's own list of approaches. That tells you it is part of how she works. It does not tell you how much of a session it shapes, and this directory does not check or rate training.
If a narrative approach is what you are looking for, it is worth asking Michelle directly how she uses it and what a session usually looks like.
Online session options
How narrative and acceptance work online
Michelle uses Narrative Therapy to help people separate themselves from the stories that keep them stuck. In sessions she helps clients name dominant stories, look for overlooked strengths, and try new ways of describing their experiences. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT, is used to clarify values and build small habits that align with what matters. That approach helps when anxiety or avoidance gets in the way of meaningful goals. She also uses client-centered principles to keep the work grounded in each person’s pace and priorities, with the therapist listening closely and following the client's lead.Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. Michelle will discuss different methods and tailor sessions to the person’s needs, goals, and preferences. She checks in about what is or isn't working and adjusts the plan over time so it fits real life.
Online therapy offers flexibility and practical options. Video calls allow face-to-face conversation and shared visual cues. Phone sessions work when bandwidth or camera use is limited. Live chat and text messaging are useful for brief check-ins, skill practice, or times when typing feels easier than speaking. These formats make it simpler to fit therapy into work, family, and busy schedules while keeping the focus on progress and usable tools.
Common questions about this listing
What concerns does Michelle focus on?
She works with stress, anxiety, relationship concerns, career challenges, and coping with life changes. Additional focus areas include family of origin issues, guilt and shame, life purpose, mood disorders, self-love, women's issues, and workplace concerns.
What is her therapeutic style like?
Her style is collaborative and direct. Sessions aim for clear goals and practical steps that fit into daily life.
How much clinical experience is there?
She has nine years of professional counseling experience working with adults on a range of life and emotional concerns.
What credentials and location are listed?
The therapist holds a Licensed Clinical Social Worker credential, listed as CA LCSW, and practices in California.
Are sessions offered in other languages or internationally?
Sessions are offered in English. International clients are not currently accepted.
What session formats are available?
She provides video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to accommodate different needs and schedules.
How does payment and cost work?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability. Sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with this therapist?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to therapist availability.
Contacting this therapist
Sessions with Michelle are arranged through our partner platform. It asks a few questions about what you are looking for, then shows you the therapists available to you, including Michelle where she has space. Ask about fees, and whether she holds a licence or registration where you live.
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