Michelle Fennessy, LCSW

Michelle Fennessy is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with two decades of practice and a history of working with adults on life stressors. She trained at Columbia University for her master's degree and holds a bachelor of psychology from Mount Holyoke College. Michelle invites people who are nervous about starting therapy to acknowledge that first step as courage. She specializes in anxiety, depression, trauma, and heartbreak. Michelle also helps people facing relationship strain in mid-marriage life, and those struggling with addictive or self-destructive habits like binge-eating or excessive drinking. She has personal and professional experience with ex-patriot life and understands the particular stresses of living abroad. Her style blends strength-focused work with cognitive behavioral techniques and goal-oriented plans. Sessions emphasize finding small shifts in thinking that make emotions feel different and more manageable. She often uses mindfulness-derived tools to help people notice patterns and practice new responses. Michelle also talks with clients about values, intention, and how hope or belief systems can shape goals. Some people bring ideas like the Law of Attraction into sessions and she explores how those ideas fit with practical steps toward change. The therapist frames work as collaborative and grounded in real-world habits rather than abstract theory. People who connect with her tend to want clear goals, a focus on coping skills, and someone who notices personal strengths. Prospective clients are encouraged to consider how these priorities match their needs before scheduling.

How therapeutic approaches translate to online work

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people clarify what matters most to them and take small committed steps toward those values. It can be useful for anxiety, depression, and life transitions where clearer priorities help guide decisions.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying unhelpful thinking and testing new behaviors to change feelings. This practical method is often used for anxiety, mood concerns, and patterns like impulsive or addictive behaviors.

Finding the right approach is part of the work and Michelle treats it as collaborative. She will talk with each person about goals, preferences, and what feels helpful. Together they decide which methods to try and adjust as progress is made.

Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy life, for example by cutting travel time or allowing shorter check-ins during a break. Because the therapist's exact session formats are not listed here, confirm current options when you schedule. Many people find that working with licensed professionals online lets them practice tools in everyday situations and bring real-life examples straight into sessions.