Michele Lewis , LISW, LCSW

Michele Lewis greets people with warmth and gentle directness. She guides adults who are dealing with grief, trauma, anxiety, stress, or low self-esteem. Michele also supports those facing life changes, career questions, caregiver strain, and issues related to LGBT identity. She is a licensed independent social worker and a licensed clinical social worker with 26 years of experience in Missouri and Iowa. Michele uses straightforward, conversational sessions where people can speak openly without judgment. She helps clients name what feels stuck, try small changes, and practice skills that reduce anxiety and lift mood. Sessions often include practical tools for stress management, mood regulation, and clearer communication. Her background includes work with older adults and caregivers, so she is familiar with the pressures of aging, chronic illness, and end-of-life concerns. Michele also draws on grief work to help people cope with loss, emptiness, and major life transitions. Therapeutic methods in her work include cognitive behavioral techniques, mindfulness practices, and client-centered listening. She focuses on helping people discover their values, build authentic connections, and take concrete steps toward the life they want. Michele offers evening and weekend appointments and provides sessions by video, phone, live chat, or text messaging. Her approach aims to be practical, compassionate, and tailored to each person's goals.

Therapeutic approaches and how they fit online

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people clarify their values and take small actions that match those values rather than getting stuck in unhelpful thoughts. It is often useful for anxiety, depression, and life transitions where people want clearer direction. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying unhelpful thinking patterns and testing new behaviors to change mood and stress. It is practical and works well for anxiety, depression, and stress management. Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes listening, empathy, and the client’s own capacity to find solutions; it supports self-esteem, grief work, and building authentic relationships.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. Michele will talk with each person about goals and preferences, try methods that suit their needs, and adjust the plan over time. The aim is to find strategies that feel useful and fit daily life rather than forcing a single method.

Online therapy offers flexible ways to meet. Video calls allow face-to-face conversations and demonstrations of skills. Phone sessions can be a good option when bandwidth is limited or a quieter check-in is needed. Live chat and text-based messaging support brief check-ins, skill practice between sessions, or people who prefer not to be on camera. These options make it easier to fit therapy into evenings, weekends, work breaks, or caregiving schedules.