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MM Portrait of Michele McShea

Michele McShea

Helping people build confidence and lasting change

LCSW Illinois

Experience
19 years in practice
Focus areas
Stress, Anxiety, LGBT, Relationship
Approaches
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Existential Therapy
Languages
English
Continue with Michele

About Michele

Michele McShea is a licensed clinical social worker with 19 years of practice who brings a grounded, hopeful approach to therapy. She frames healing as a process where insight and practical coping skills work together, helping clients build confidence and greater participation in life.

Background and approach

Michele has supported people facing anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, trauma and abuse, grief, addiction concerns, intimacy-related issues, and challenges tied to family of origin. Her work emphasizes strengthening the inner life while also improving day-to-day functioning, so clients can experience both relief from symptoms and improved responses to stressors.

Michele blends evidence-informed techniques with explorative conversation, drawing from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy along with existential, psychodynamic, hypnotherapy, and solution-focused perspectives. She accepts international clients and offers sessions remotely from Illinois.

Michele views therapy as a collaborative journey and values the trust clients place in her as they pursue lasting change and greater well-being.

Approaches That Translate Well to Online Therapy

Many of Michele's methods translate effectively to remote work. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and behaviors and developing practical skills to change them; it is often used for anxiety, depression, stress, and coping with life changes. Existential Therapy explores meaning, values, and responsibility, helping clients facing questions about purpose, isolation, or major life transitions.

Michele treats approach selection as a collaborative process. She will work with each person to determine which combination of methods best matches their goals, preferences, and current needs, adjusting strategies over time based on what proves most helpful. This collaborative stance supports both learning new skills and exploring deeper patterns.

Online therapy offers flexibility through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, making it easier to fit consistent care into busy lives and to access a therapist from different locations. These options allow clients to engage in sessions from a setting that suits them while keeping momentum between appointments through messaging when appropriate.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns does she address?
Michele works with a wide range of issues including stress, anxiety, depression, relationship and intimacy-related problems, addictions, trauma and abuse, grief, LGBT concerns, and challenges related to family of origin.
What is her therapeutic style like?
Her style combines insight-oriented work with practical coping strategies, blending evidence-based techniques and reflective conversation to build skills and promote lasting change.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has 19 years of experience working as a therapist with individuals, couples, and groups.
What credentials and location are listed for this clinician?
She is an LCSW licensed in Illinois with the license number IL LCSW 149013603 and practices from Illinois.
Does she work with non-English speakers or international clients?
Sessions are provided in English, and she does accept international clients.
Which session formats are offered?
Available formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to accommodate different preferences and schedules.
What should I know about cost and scheduling?
Cost varies by location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, completing a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule a session according to her availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyLGBTRelationship issuesSelf esteemDepression

Also works with

AddictionsFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseGriefIntimacy-related issuesCoping with life changes

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentBody imageCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesDependent personalityDivorce and separationEmptinessFamily of origin issuesForgivenessGuilt and shameHIV / AIDSInfidelityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyMen's issuesMidlife crisisMood disordersNarcissismObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPanic disorder and panic attacksPhobiasPost-traumatic stressSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-loveSexualitySocial anxiety and phobiaWomen's issues

Therapeutic approaches

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Existential TherapyHypnotherapyPsychodynamic TherapySolution-Focused Therapy

Experience

19+ years

Licensed

Illinois

Languages

English