Michelle McHugh , LICSW, LCSW

Michelle McHugh is a licensed clinical social worker with 23 years of professional experience and active licenses in both Alabama and Arkansas. She holds the credentials LICSW and LCSW - LICSW denotes a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker and LCSW denotes a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Her early training included a Master of Social Work and she has practiced across inpatient addiction treatment, inpatient psychiatric settings, and outpatient mental health clinics, building expertise in substance use disorders, trauma and PTSD, LGBTQIA concerns, codependency, shame reduction, and related mood and relationship challenges.

Michelle has over 11 years of active service in the Army National Guard as a Behavioral Health Officer and has spent the past eight years working with active Guard soldiers and military veterans from all branches. That military experience informs her work with first responder and veteran issues as well as with people navigating major life transitions and identity questions related to gender and sexuality.

Her approach is collaborative and client-focused, avoiding stigmatizing language and adapting interventions to each person. She integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy techniques, mindfulness practices, 12-step recovery principles, elements of Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing. She is trained and certified in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and in Cognitive Processing Therapy for trauma work. Michelle supports adults managing anxiety, depression, addictions, grief, sleep difficulties, bipolar disorder, low self-esteem, and the many effects of trauma, offering tailored plans that emphasize practical skills and long-term coping.

Evidence-Based Approaches and Online Care

Michelle McHugh draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help clients identify and change unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns; CBT is practical and often used for anxiety, depression, and stress-related concerns. She is trained and certified in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing - EMDR is a trauma-focused method that supports processing distressing memories and reducing their emotional intensity. Mindfulness therapy is also part of her toolkit and teaches present-moment awareness and acceptance skills that can reduce rumination and support emotional regulation.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. Michelle works with clients to understand their goals, preferences, and symptoms, and tailors a plan that may combine these methods to fit individual needs rather than relying on a single technique.

Online therapy offers flexibility and access to licensed professionals through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging. These options make it easier to fit care into busy schedules, maintain continuity during life transitions, and engage in regular sessions from different locations while working toward meaningful progress with a therapist.