Michelle Fennessy, LCSW

Michelle Fennessy is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Florida with 20 years of clinical experience. She earned a Master’s degree from Columbia University and a Bachelor of Psychology from Mount Holyoke College. She encourages people to recognize the courage it takes to reach out and offers straightforward support for those wanting to change, heal, or simply feel better.

She often helps people manage anxiety, depression, grief, and trauma. She also works with people who are struggling with addictive or self-destructive behaviors, including binge-eating and problematic drinking, and those coping with heartbreak or relationship crisis in mid-marriage. Michelle has personal and clinical experience with the stresses of expatriate life.

Her approach draws on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, mindfulness, Solution-Focused Therapy, and Internal Family Systems. In sessions she focuses on identifying thoughts and behaviors that keep a person stuck and finding practical shifts that improve daily life. Michelle emphasizes strengths and clear goals to guide change.

She invites people to notice small adjustments that create better-feeling thoughts and healthier habits. Sessions include talking through the current problem, learning simple tools, and practicing different ways of responding. The aim is to help people feel less overwhelmed and more able to move toward what matters to them.

Michelle speaks English and accepts international clients. People who want to begin are asked to complete a short matching questionnaire and then schedule according to therapist availability.

How her approaches translate to online care

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy helps people notice unhelpful thoughts and choose actions that match their values. It supports dealing with anxiety, depression, and patterns that keep someone stuck. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy focuses on identifying and changing thought and behavior patterns that maintain distress. It is useful for anxiety, depression, and habit change such as problematic eating or drinking.

Picking the right approach is usually a team effort. The therapist will work with each person to figure out which methods fit their goals and preferences. Together they may try different techniques and adjust the plan based on what helps in daily life.

The profile does not list specific session formats, so confirm current options before booking. Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy schedule, reduce travel time, and allow shorter check-ins when needed. It also lets people work on skills and homework between sessions, which can speed practical progress toward coping better and changing unhelpful habits.