Michelle Zaragoza, LCSW

California · 9 years in practice

Michelle Zaragoza is a licensed clinical social worker in California with nine years of counseling experience.

License and registration

LCSW, California: 100578 · expires March 2027
NPI: 1356896880 · national provider identifier
Years in practice: 9
Languages: English

Details are as listed on the therapist's public professional profile. You can check the license with the issuing state board, and the NPI with the national registry.

About Michelle

Michelle Zaragoza is a licensed clinical social worker in California with nine years of counseling experience. She helps adults who are feeling stressed or anxious, facing relationship challenges, rethinking a career, or navigating big life changes. Her work also addresses family of origin issues, guilt and shame, mood concerns, self-love, women’s issues, and workplace stress.

Michelle uses a collaborative, straightforward style. Sessions focus on practical steps people can try between meetings.

Background and approach

She offers direct feedback and helps clients set short-term and long-term goals. The aim is to build skills that make daily life feel more manageable. Her approach draws from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and mindfulness to help clients notice what matters and take action toward those values.

Narrative therapy is used to help people retell difficult experiences in a way that reduces their power. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing is also part of her toolbox for processing past upsetting memories. Michelle favors techniques that fit a person’s life and schedule.

Therapy is framed as a partnership where the client’s goals guide the work. She encourages small, steady changes rather than expecting immediate fixes. Clients can expect clear suggestions and practical homework between sessions.

Michelle aims to help people build resilience and find clearer direction. She is available to provide care by video, phone, chat, or text messaging.

Focus areas and approaches

Everything Michelle lists on their public professional profile, in their own terms.

Approaches Michelle names

Naming an approach is not evidence of training in it. This directory copies what each therapist lists and does not check training records.

Online support

Approaches that translate well to online care

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT, helps people clarify what matters to them and take small, value-driven steps even when difficult thoughts or feelings are present. It’s often useful for anxiety, stress, and life transitions. Client-centered therapy focuses on listening and reflecting back what the client says so they can find their own solutions; this approach supports self-direction and helps people feel heard during change. EMDR, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, is a method used to process upsetting memories and reduce their emotional intensity; some clients use it to address past events that keep affecting daily life.

Choosing the right approach is part of the work. Michelle will collaborate with each person to see which methods fit their goals and comfort level. Together they review progress and adjust the plan if something isn’t helping.

Online therapy offers practical flexibility. Video calls let people see facial cues and use visual tools. Phone sessions are useful when bandwidth or being on camera is difficult. Live chat and text-based messaging can support shorter check-ins, daily tracking, or moments when writing feels easier than speaking. These options make it simpler to fit therapy into a busy life while still working on meaningful change.

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Questions people ask

What concerns does Michelle commonly address?

She helps adults with stress, anxiety, relationship difficulties, career questions, and coping with life changes. She also focuses on family of origin issues, guilt and shame, life purpose, mood disorders, self-love, women’s issues, and workplace problems.

What is her general therapy style?

Her style is collaborative and direct. Sessions emphasize practical steps, goal-setting, and concrete skills to try between meetings.

How much clinical experience does she have?

She has nine years of professional counseling experience working with adults on stress, anxiety, and life transitions.

What are her credentials and where is she based?

She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, LCSW, practicing in California.

Which languages are sessions offered in?

Sessions are offered in English only.

What session formats are available?

She offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to fit different needs and schedules.

How does payment and cost work?

Cost varies by location and therapist availability. Sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

How do I begin working with her?

Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to the therapist’s availability.

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