Michel Gotwals, LISW

Michel Gotwals is a licensed independent social worker with 25 years of experience who supports people facing relationship strain, trauma, depression, and concerns around intimacy and self-esteem. She works with people navigating bipolar disorder, ADHD, career questions, and issues like jealousy or infidelity. Michel treats clients with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. She aims to make the first steps toward change feel manageable and clear.

Michel adapts conversation and planning to fit each person's situation. She listens for what matters most and helps set practical goals that match daily life. Sessions focus on building skills and understanding patterns that keep problems stuck, along with small actions clients can try between meetings.

Her background includes a long career in Ohio as a licensed independent social worker, and she brings steady clinical experience to complex life transitions. That experience includes work related to hospice and end-of-life concerns and issues that affect veterans and armed forces members.

When trauma or past abuse is part of the story, Michel pays attention to pacing and safety while helping people process difficult memories. For relationship or intimacy issues she helps identify unhelpful cycles and supports clearer communication and boundary setting.

People can expect a collaborative approach where the therapist and client shape the plan together. Michel emphasizes practical steps, honest conversation, and follow-through that fits everyday routines.

How therapeutic approaches guide online care

Michel uses evidence-based therapeutic techniques to help people understand patterns and try different ways of responding. One common technique focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and behaviors and testing small behavioral changes to see what improves mood and relationships. This approach helps with depression, low self-esteem, and some aspects of anxiety.

Another useful method emphasizes pacing and safety when working with trauma and past abuse. It breaks difficult material into manageable steps, teaches grounding and coping strategies, and supports gradual processing so clients feel more stable between sessions. That can be important for those dealing with traumatic memories or overwhelming emotions.

Finding the right approach is part of the work together. Michel will collaborate with each person to choose techniques that match goals, life demands, and preferences. She adjusts pacing and methods as progress is reviewed so the plan stays useful and realistic.

Practical benefits of online therapy often include easier scheduling and fitting sessions into a work or family day. Some formats can be simpler when bandwidth is limited or when a brief check-in is all that’s needed; confirm the specific session formats available before booking. Online sessions can make it easier to keep momentum between meetings and to continue care when travel or relocation would otherwise disrupt it.