Michele Koenes, LMSW, LCSW

Michele Koenes is a licensed social worker who helps people manage stress, anxiety, grief, and life changes. She works with adults and older adults to address mood concerns, relationship struggles, and challenges related to chronic illness or caregiving. Michele aims to match her pace to each person and create a respectful, steady space for conversation.

She brings about 11 years of clinical experience across inpatient and outpatient settings. Before focusing on therapy she practiced as a litigation attorney and taught, experiences that shaped how she listens and communicates. Michele holds a Master of Social Work and maintains licenses as an LMSW and LCSW.

Her approach is collaborative and person-centered. She uses practical skills from cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behavior therapy to manage difficult thoughts and emotions. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy ideas help when people want to align actions with their values despite ongoing challenges.

Michele also draws on attachment-based perspectives to look at connection patterns that influence relationships and self-worth. Sessions typically focus on small, doable steps that fit into daily life and on building skills to handle triggers and setbacks.

People who come for help with caregiving stress, chronic pain or illness, body image, or addiction find concrete strategies alongside emotional support. Michele emphasizes empathy, patience, and letting each person set the pace for change.

How Michele's Approaches Inform Online Therapy

Michele uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people identify and change unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors, which is useful for anxiety, depression, and coping with life changes. She also draws on Attachment-Based Therapy to look at how early connection patterns affect current relationships and self-esteem, helping people improve communication and trust.

Finding the right approach is part of the work together. Michele will discuss goals, preferences, and what has or hasn't helped in the past, and then suggest practices or skills to try. That collaborative process helps tailor sessions to the individual's needs rather than forcing a single method.

The practical benefits of online therapy often include easier scheduling and fitting sessions into a busy life, which can help maintain consistency. Some clients prefer shorter check-ins or audio-only conversations when video feels like too much, while others work well with a regular full session. Because the specific session formats are not listed in the biography, confirm current options before booking so you know what will be offered. Licensed professionals can adapt CBT and attachment work to an online setting by using homework assignments, skill practice between sessions, and focused check-ins to keep progress moving.