Michelle Garibaldi , LMFT

Michelle Garibaldi is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) practicing in California with 23 years of clinical experience. She brings a collaborative, warm, and empathic approach to therapy, guiding individuals, couples, and families as they identify goals and work toward meaningful change. As an LMFT, Michelle focuses on relational patterns and systemic factors while also addressing individual symptoms and life transitions.

Her style blends client-centered care with evidence-informed methods, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Existential Therapy, Mindfulness Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing. These approaches are applied in an active, outcome-oriented way to help clients reduce anxiety, manage stress, process grief and trauma, and improve communication within families and partnerships. Michelle also supports clients dealing with depression, addictions, intimacy and sexual concerns, sleep difficulties, parenting challenges, anger, self-esteem, career questions, ADHD, and compassion fatigue.

Michelle works with a broad range of issues across the lifespan, including family and parenting dynamics, survivor work related to abuse, adolescent concerns, end-of-life and hospice related grief, and challenges tied to attachment, abandonment, and blended-family transitions. Her practice emphasizes practical skills, insight, and collaborative planning so clients can move toward greater balance, stability, and satisfaction in their lives.

Therapeutic Approaches for Online Care and Growth

Michelle Garibaldi uses client-centered therapy to create a supportive space where the client's perspective guides the work. This approach emphasizes empathy, active listening, and collaboration so clients feel understood while they explore personal goals and relationships.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is used to identify and shift unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns. CBT is practical and skills-focused, and it can help with anxiety, depression, stress management, and difficulties in daily functioning.

Mindfulness Therapy is offered to help clients build present-moment awareness and stress-management skills. Mindfulness practices can support emotional regulation, reduce rumination, and improve sleep and focus.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Michelle will work collaboratively with clients to determine which methods best suit their needs, goals, and preferences, adjusting techniques as progress unfolds.

Online therapy options include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, offering flexibility for different schedules and comfort levels. These formats make it easier for clients to maintain continuity of care, access consistent support, and integrate therapeutic work into busy lives while working with licensed professionals and therapists.