- Stress and anxiety
- Relationship issues
- Family of origin
About Michelle
Michelle Winkel is a California-licensed LMFT with 25 years of clinical experience. She works with adults facing stress, anxiety, LGBTQ+ related concerns, relationship and intimacy issues, and people coping with life changes. Michelle speaks English and practices in California.
She focuses on helping people notice how past family patterns affect their present relationships and behavior. Sessions are conversational and practical. She invites people to talk through current struggles and to try small, manageable changes between meetings.
Her approach pays attention to attachment and family of origin issues when those topics are part of a person's story. She also addresses caregiver stress, aging and geriatric concerns, chronic illness and pain, body image, eating and food-related worries, and communication problems.
Michelle has worked with matters tied to gender identity, HIV/AIDS, fatherhood concerns, hoarding, emptiness, and end-of-life questions. She plans sessions around the specific problems a person brings and adjusts the pace to what feels workable.
With many years in practice, she blends practical techniques with steady listening. People can expect clear discussion of goals, straightforward strategies to try between sessions, and regular check-ins on progress. To begin, prospective clients are asked to use the site matching process and schedule a first session.
How therapeutic approaches guide online sessions
Michelle works with evidence-based therapeutic techniques that focus on present problems and relationship patterns. One approach looks at attachment-related behavior and how early family roles shape present responses; it helps people recognize patterns in closeness, boundaries, and trust. Another approach uses practical problem-solving methods to reduce stress and manage anxiety by breaking large problems into smaller steps and testing new responses between meetings.Deciding which approach to use is collaborative. Michelle discusses a person’s history, current goals, and preferences and then recommends techniques that seem most useful. She checks in regularly and adjusts the plan if a method isn’t working or if priorities change.
Session formats are not listed in the biography, so confirm current options before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy life, shorten travel time, and allow for shorter check-ins when schedules are tight. It also permits using therapy tools and worksheets between meetings so progress continues outside session time.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Additional focus areas
Experience
25+ years
Listed in
California
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she help with?
She works with stress, anxiety, LGBTQ+ related matters, relationship and intimacy issues, and coping with life changes. Additional topics include family of origin issues and caregiving stress.
What is her therapy style like?
She uses a conversational, practical style focused on discussing current problems and trying manageable changes between sessions. Sessions emphasize clear goals and regular check-ins.
How much experience does she have?
She has 25 years of professional experience working with adults on a range of concerns.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She is an LMFT licensed in California and practices in that state.
Which languages are supported?
Sessions are offered in English.
Are international clients accepted?
International clients are not currently accepted.
How does cost work for sessions?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I get started with therapy?
Use the See online therapy options button on the site, complete the 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.