Michelle Fennessy , LCSW

Michelle Fennessy is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with twenty years of practice. She is based in Florida and brings calm, straightforward support for people facing stress, anxiety, depression, grief, and relationship concerns. She often helps people who are struggling with addictive or self-destructive behaviors and intimacy-related issues. Background and approach: Michelle uses practical, goal-focused methods to help people change habits and feel steadier. She draws on cognitive behavioral ideas to notice and shift unhelpful thoughts. Mindfulness and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy tools are used to build presence and values-based choices. Internal Family Systems ideas help people understand different parts of themselves without judgment. Many sessions center on small, manageable steps. Michelle works with people on behaviors like binge-eating, excessive drinking, or repeated checking of social media that keeps them stuck. She also supports those coping with career stress, parenting strain, caregiver burden, and life changes from aging or medical challenges such as cancer. Michelle talks plainly about emotions and patterns. She helps people identify what matters most, set realistic goals, and practice skills between sessions. Her style is warm and direct, focused on what will make daily life easier. Because she has lived and worked abroad, she understands the unique stressors of expatriate life. She offers consultations in English and accepts international clients by remote session formats. If someone wants steady, experienced guidance for navigating loss, uncertainty, or relationship pain, she aims to provide clear tools and steady support.

How Michelle’s Approaches Work Online

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy helps people notice painful thoughts without getting stuck in them, then focus on choices that line up with what matters most. It can be useful for anxiety, depression, grief, and life transitions. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy looks at the link between thoughts, feelings, and actions and teaches practical skills to shift unhelpful patterns; it often helps with anxiety, mood, and behavior change. Mindfulness Therapy trains simple attention and breathing habits to reduce reactivity and increase calm in everyday moments, which supports stress management and clearer decision making.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. Michelle will discuss goals, preferences, and what feels most helpful, then try methods collaboratively. Sessions often blend techniques so clients can discover which tools fit their situation and lifestyle.

Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to fit different needs. Video sessions are good for a more conversational, face-to-face feel. Phone appointments can be easier when bandwidth is limited or a quick check-in is needed. Live chat or messaging can work for shorter, frequent touchpoints and skill practice between longer sessions. These options make therapy more flexible for people juggling work, caregiving, travel, or different time zones.