Michele McShea, LCSW

Michele McShea is a licensed clinical social worker with 19 years of experience helping people navigate life changes and emotional pain. She focuses on practical steps alongside deeper insight so people can feel steadier and more able to take part in life. Michele believes healing grows from both understanding and coping skills. She supports people managing anxiety, depression, and grief while also addressing issues like relationship struggles, intimacy concerns, and addictions. She also helps with LGBTQ matters and family of origin wounds. Her sessions are a mix of talking through feelings and building everyday tools. Michele draws on approaches such as cognitive behavioral work and psychodynamic ideas to uncover patterns. She also uses solution-focused techniques and hypnotherapy where appropriate to help people move forward. People often come for help with self-esteem, codependency, commitment worries, or feeling empty and isolated. Michele listens for how past experiences shape present choices and helps identify small changes that make daily life easier. She aims to balance long-term insight with immediate coping strategies. That means working on thoughts and habits while noticing progress in how someone functions day to day. Michele treats the process as a partnership, and she frames goals around what matters to each person. Michele practices in Illinois and offers services in English. She accepts international clients and brings nearly two decades of experience to each person who chooses to work with her.

Therapeutic approaches and online support

CBT, or cognitive behavioral therapy, focuses on spotting unhelpful thoughts and changing behaviors that keep problems going. It is practical and can help with anxiety, depression, and stress by teaching new ways to respond to difficult feelings.

Existential therapy looks at meaning, choice, and personal values. It helps when people feel stuck, empty, or unsure about life direction by clarifying what matters and how to live with more intention.

Finding the right approach is part of the work together. Michele will collaborate with each person to decide whether to emphasize practical CBT techniques, existential reflection, hypnotherapy, or other methods based on their goals and preferences.

If you are considering online therapy, confirm the therapist's current session options before booking since formats are not listed in the biography. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life, reduce travel time, and allow shorter check-ins when needed. Many people appreciate being able to schedule around work, family, or other obligations while still working on long-term change.