- Family of origin issues
- Memory and cognitive assessments
- Pet grief counseling
About Michaela
Dr. Michaela Hammer is an LCSW (licensed clinical social worker) practicing in Florida with 35 years of experience. She focuses on relationship difficulties, grief, depression, anxiety, coping with life changes, family concerns, and related mood and stress issues. Her work includes attention to family of origin issues and intimacy-related concerns.
She often meets people who are navigating life transitions and the expectations that come with them. She talks through common myths about memory loss, aging, sexual concerns, and neurodiversity. She also offers assessments of memory and cognitive functioning and shares research and resources rather than stopping at a single label.
Dr. Hammer also provides counseling for grief after the loss of a companion animal. She notes that these losses can be deeply affecting and that some referrals come from veterinarians and medical providers.
Her experience spans many settings - offices, homes, schools, retirement communities, nursing homes, and hospitals. She has run memory clinics, given in-service training on cultural awareness and aging, and conducted routine depression and anxiety assessments.
She frames clinical work with practical attention to reactions and life roles. Her background includes long-term personal experience with loss in her own family, and she draws on that perspective when helping people who face midlife challenges, caregiver stress, or end-of-life concerns.
How her approaches guide online sessions
Client-Centered Therapy focuses on the person’s perspective and priorities. It involves reflective listening and collaborative goal-setting to help people clarify what matters most to them, which helps with relationship and family of origin concerns.Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at how thoughts and behaviors influence mood and stress. It uses practical exercises and small behavior changes to reduce anxiety, depression, and coping problems.
Motivational Interviewing helps when someone feels stuck about making changes. It uses focused conversations to uncover personal reasons for change and to build motivation for steps like improving communication or addressing substance use.
Finding the right approach is part of the work together. The therapist will review goals, try methods that match those goals, and adjust the plan based on the client's needs and preferences in a collaborative way.
Confirm the current session formats before booking, as the biography does not specify which online or in-person options are offered. In general, online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy day, shorten travel time, and allow for shorter check-ins when needed. Licensed professionals can use video or phone to focus on skills practice, problem solving, grief processing, or cognitive assessments adapted for remote use, depending on the formats available and the client’s needs.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
35+ years
Listed in
Florida, New Mexico
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does she address?
She works with relationship problems, grief, depression, anxiety, stress, family issues, and life transitions including parenting and career questions.
What is her therapeutic style?
She uses client-centered techniques alongside Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Solution-Focused methods, and Trauma-Focused Therapy to help people talk through current problems and practical next steps.
How much experience does the therapist have?
She has 35 years of clinical experience working across many settings including schools, retirement communities, hospitals, and home visits.
What are her credentials and where does she practice?
She is an LCSW licensed in Florida and New Mexico and currently based in Florida.
Which languages are supported for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can international clients work with her?
She does not accept international clients.
What should I know about cost?
Fees vary with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin the process?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger, use the emergency numbers. Looking for someone else? Find them by surname.