Michele Fitzgerald , LPCC

Michele Fitzgerald brings a long history of work in substance abuse treatment, beginning with adolescents in the 1980s and continuing through a varied career that includes work in Kodiak, Alaska and Minneapolis, Minnesota. She has practiced in substance abuse and mental health counseling and has provided adoption and birth-parent counseling as well as social work services in hospital and long-term care settings.

Her approach reflects an appreciation for how behavioral health and alcohol and drug counseling have evolved over time, and she views recovery as synonymous with overall wellness. Michele values the development of strength through adversity and frames setbacks as opportunities for learning and growth. She is known as a careful listener who supports people as they build resilience and make changes in their lives.

Michele holds the LPCC credential - Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor - which indicates formal training and licensure to provide clinical counseling. She works with a broad range of concerns, including stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma and abuse, grief, depression, relationship and family issues, eating and sleeping difficulties, parenting and career challenges, ADHD, and related areas. She accepts new clients and is available Thursdays from 4:00 - 8:00 pm.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care

Michele uses client-centered therapy to create a supportive space where the person’s own goals and experiences guide the work - this approach emphasizes empathy, active listening, and helping people find their own solutions to life challenges. She also employs Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), a practical method that identifies unhelpful thought and behavior patterns and teaches skills to change them, which can be useful for anxiety, depression, and stress-related concerns. When appropriate, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) techniques are integrated to help with emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and improving interpersonal effectiveness.

Michele approaches treatment collaboratively, exploring which methods fit best for each person based on their needs, goals, and preferences. She works with clients to adjust the plan over time so the approach remains relevant and effective for their circumstances.

Online therapy offers flexible access to care through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, allowing people to engage in therapy from home or other convenient locations. These options make scheduling easier around work, family, and other commitments and can help maintain continuity of care when life requires flexibility. Licensed professionals, including Michele, use these formats to provide therapeutic support tailored to each person’s situation.