Michelle Laughlin, LCSW

Michelle Laughlin is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) in California who helps people facing stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, low self-esteem, ADHD, and big life changes. She writes short, clear plans and talks through what matters most to each person. Michelle presents herself with calm and respect to make the first step feel possible.

She uses a gentle, client-centered style that adjusts to a persons needs. Sessions focus on practical strategies for managing symptoms and building day-to-day skills. Michelle draws on cognitive behavioral techniques to address unhelpful thinking, and on attachment ideas to look at how relationships affect feelings.

Michelle also works with skills from dialectical behavior therapy and solution-focused methods to help people cope in the moment and set manageable goals. She pays attention to how the body holds stress and will include somatic ideas when helpful. The work is collaborative and paced to what a person can handle.

Her approach is straightforward and goal-oriented while staying compassionate. Michelle tailors conversations and plans to each persons background and needs. She encourages small, steady steps toward clearer thinking, stronger coping, and more confidence.

Michelle has four years of professional experience in settings across California. Her education and LCSW credential inform how she shapes treatment, and she supports people through practical problem solving and emotional processing.

How Michelle's Approaches Translate to Online Work

Attachment-based work helps people see how past relationships shape current reactions. It looks at connection and trust so people can try new ways of relating and feeling safer in relationships. Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on spotting unhelpful thoughts and testing new behaviors to reduce anxiety and improve everyday functioning. It is useful for stress, anxiety, concentration, and ADHD-related challenges.

Finding the right mix of approaches is part of the process. Michelle will work together with each person to decide which methods fit their goals, preferences, and pace. She adjusts interventions over time so the plan remains practical and relevant.

Confirm current session options before booking so you know how sessions are held. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and reduce the time spent traveling to appointments. Many people find that talk therapy, skills coaching, and brief solution-focused sessions adapt well to remote formats, while somatic practices can be described and practiced during a meeting. Licensed professionals can tailor session length and focus to match a persons schedule and goals.