- Client-Centered Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Mindfulness Therapy
About Michele
Michele Petersmark is an Illinois Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) with 20 years of clinical experience. She works with people who are stressed, anxious, or coping with depression, relationship strain, low self-esteem, and life changes. Michele also supports those dealing with trauma, grief, intimacy concerns, and issues tied to parenting, sleep, and eating.
In sessions she uses straightforward conversation to match the work to the person's needs. Michele practices client-centered methods along with cognitive behavioral and solution-focused ideas. She draws on mindfulness and dialectical skills when emotional regulation or intensity becomes part of the concern.
People bring many kinds of problems into her office, including mood disorders, ADHD, bipolar concerns, panic attacks, and feelings tied to abandonment or infidelity. She also addresses practical stressors like money worries, career decisions, fertility challenges, and aging questions. Guilt and shame are named among her additional focus areas and are discussed directly in therapy.
Michele aims to adapt sessions so they feel purposeful and manageable. That can mean clear, short-term goals, learning new skills for handling strong feelings, or working through painful memories at a pace that fits the client.
Her language is plain and direct. Michele invites people to talk about what matters to them and to set goals they can work toward between sessions. To begin, people complete a short questionnaire and schedule an initial session to see how the fit feels.
How Michele uses therapeutic approaches in online work
Client-Centered Therapy focuses on the person's perspective and values the client's own goals. It involves listening closely and shaping sessions around what the client says matters most, which helps with relationship concerns, self-esteem, and decisions about life changes.Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at patterns of thought and behavior and teaches practical skills to shift them. CBT is useful for anxiety, panic, mood concerns, and managing unhelpful thinking that fuels guilt and shame.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) offers tools for regulating strong emotions and handling intense moments. It includes skills for distress tolerance and improving interpersonal effectiveness when relationships or impulsivity are part of the problem.
Finding the right approach is part of the work. Michele discusses options with each client and chooses techniques based on the person’s goals and preferences. That collaborative process means the plan can change as needs or priorities shift.
Session formats are not listed in the biography, so confirm the specific online options before booking. Many people appreciate online sessions because they can fit more easily into a workday, make shorter check-ins possible, or avoid travel time. Conversations online can use CBT or mindfulness exercises, skill practice from DBT, and focused problem-solving so the work fits into everyday life.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
20+ years
Listed in
Illinois
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does she address?
She works with stress, anxiety, depression, relationship strain, low self-esteem, and life transitions. Additional areas include trauma, grief, ADHD, mood disorders, and guilt and shame.
How would you describe her therapeutic style?
Her style is client-centered and practical, using plain conversation to set goals. She integrates CBT, DBT, mindfulness, and solution-focused techniques as they fit the client's needs.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has 20 years of professional work experience in counseling and psychotherapy.
What credential does she hold and where is she based?
She is an LCPC licensed in Illinois and practices from that state.
Which languages are supported during sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can people outside the U.S. work with her?
International clients are accepted; confirm any regional considerations during the intake process.
What are the session formats and cost structure?
Session formats are not specified here, so confirm available options before booking. Costs vary with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Start by selecting the See online therapy options button, completing a short matching questionnaire, and scheduling a first session.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger or thinking about harming yourself, use the crisis numbers.