Michelle Goodwater , LMHC

Michelle Goodwater is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) practicing in Washington. She brings seven years of experience helping people facing stress, anxiety, grief, depression, relationship and intimacy concerns, and other life changes. Michelle focuses on practical support that people can use between sessions.

Her style is warm and interactive. She listens without judgment and talks through strategies the client can try right away. Sessions tend to focus on real-world steps - coping skills, communication practice, and ways to manage difficult emotions.

Michelle uses a mix of evidence-based approaches such as cognitive behavioral techniques and mindfulness-based practices. She also draws on client-centered ideas to keep the work focused on each person's goals. When trauma comes up, she includes trauma-informed methods that match what the client needs.

People come for many reasons including stress, sleep difficulties, career strain, compassion fatigue, and issues around self-esteem or codependency. Michelle also supports concerns related to grief, fertility stress, family of origin problems, and intimacy-related issues. She works collaboratively to set priorities and track progress.

Her sessions combine talk, practical exercises, and skills-building. Michelle explains concepts in plain language and helps people try new ways of handling hard situations. She encourages steady, manageable steps toward clearer routines, better boundaries, and improved daily coping.

Therapeutic approaches for online care

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on helping people notice thoughts and feelings without getting stuck in them, then choose actions that match their values. ACT can help with anxiety, depression, and big life changes by clarifying what matters and building small habits that reflect those values. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at the links between thoughts, moods, and behavior and teaches practical tools for changing unhelpful thinking and routines. CBT is often used for anxiety, sleep problems, and mood symptoms. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a trauma-focused approach that helps process distressing memories so they cause less disruption in daily life; it is used when past events continue to affect current functioning.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will collaborate with each person to decide which methods fit their needs, goals, and comfort level. That process can include trying different tools and adjusting the plan as progress is tracked and priorities shift.

Online sessions can be done by video call, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging. Video calls allow face-to-face conversation and demonstrations of exercises. Phone sessions can fit into a short break or require less bandwidth. Live chat and text messaging offer quick check-ins, brief coaching, or a way to continue momentum between meetings. These options give flexibility for people balancing work, caregiving, or travel while keeping therapy consistent and goal-focused.