Michele "Shelly" Virva

Compassionate, practical support for life changes

LMSW Michigan

Experience: 20 years in practice
Focus areas: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Trauma and abuse
Approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Client-Centered Therapy
Languages: English

About Michele

Michele "Shelly" Virva brings a strengths-focused, client-centered approach to therapy while drawing on cognitive behavioral techniques to support change. She frames clients as the experts of their own stories and collaborates to identify practical steps that reduce symptoms of stress, anxiety, depression, and substance use concerns.

Background and approach

Her work also addresses trauma and abuse and supports people navigating significant life transitions. With two decades of professional experience licensed in Michigan as an LMSW, Shelly combines empathy with goal-oriented methods such as solution-focused and motivational interviewing strategies.

She attends to related concerns including attachment issues, caregiver stress, chronic illness and pain, communication difficulties, workplace challenges, and matters tied to pregnancy, childbirth, and women's health. This varied focus allows her to tailor interventions to each person's needs while emphasizing strengths and resilience.

Clients can expect a supportive partnership that honors their perspective and builds skills for coping and recovery. Shelly aims to empower people to take steps toward a more fulfilling life, offering guidance and practical tools to manage mood disorders, addictive behaviors, post-traumatic stress, and other challenges.

Therapeutic approaches and online care that fit your life

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns and replacing them with more effective strategies; it is often used to address anxiety, depression, and maladaptive coping habits. Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes the person's perspective and inherent strengths, offering a supportive environment where goals are shaped by the client's priorities. Mindfulness Therapy encourages present-moment awareness and stress reduction practices that can help with emotion regulation and responses to trauma.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will discuss goals, preferences, and day-to-day realities to determine which combination of methods best fits a client's needs, adjusting strategies over time as progress is made.

Online therapy with Shelly is offered through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to provide flexibility for varied schedules and comfort levels. These formats make it easier to access ongoing support from Michigan without needing to travel, and they allow sessions to be scheduled in ways that integrate with work, family, and caregiving responsibilities.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does this therapist commonly address?

Shelly works with stress, anxiety, depression, addictions, and trauma and abuse, along with related issues such as attachment difficulties, caregiver stress, and workplace problems.

How would you describe her therapeutic style?

The approach is client-centered and collaborative, using cognitive behavioral techniques, mindfulness, motivational interviewing, and solution-focused strategies to set practical goals and build coping skills.

What kind of experience does she bring?

She has 20 years of professional experience working with a range of mood, trauma-related, and addictive concerns; that background informs a balanced use of supportive and goal-oriented interventions.

What are her credentials and where is she licensed?

Shelly holds an LMSW and is licensed in Michigan under MI LMSW 6801081709.

Can nonlocal or international clients work with her?

She conducts therapy in English and is not currently accepting international clients.

In what formats are sessions offered?

Sessions are available via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to accommodate different preferences and schedules.

How are fees and payment structured?

Cost varies by location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

What steps are involved in getting started?

Begin by selecting the Start Therapy button, completing a short matching questionnaire, and scheduling according to therapist availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, Anxiety Addictions Trauma and abuse Depression Coping with life changes

Additional focus areas

Attachment issuesCaregiver issues and stressChronic pain, illness, and disabilityCo-morbidityCommunication problemsDivorce and separationDrug and alcohol addictionGuilt and shame ImpulsivityMidlife crisisMood disorders Post-traumatic stressPregnancy and childbirthWomen's issuesWorkplace issues

Therapeutic approaches

Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Mindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingSolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused Therapy

Experience

20+ years

Licensed

Michigan

Languages

English