- Client-Centered Therapy
- EMDR for trauma
- Motivational Interviewing
About Michelle
Michelle Zehner is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with the LCSW and the LCSW-C credential in Maryland and four years of clinical experience. She practices in Pennsylvania and focuses on stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, motivation, self-esteem, and depression. Michelle offers straightforward, practical support for people who find social situations, feeling watched, or speaking up difficult.
She approaches sessions in a down-to-earth way. Conversations are client-centered and guided by what the person wants to work on. Michelle uses eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, known as EMDR, for trauma-related concerns, and she draws on motivational interviewing to support readiness for change.
In a typical session she listens first, then helps set clear goals for therapy. She breaks larger problems into smaller steps so progress feels manageable. Practical skills and coping strategies are introduced when they match a person’s goals and pace.
Michelle addresses a wide range of issues beyond anxiety and trauma. These include relationship strain, grief, intimacy-related concerns, addictive behaviors, obsessions and compulsions, money stress, isolation, and body image worries. She also supports people coping with life changes and compassion fatigue.
Her style is direct and goal-oriented while remaining respectful of personal limits. People who prefer clear steps, an active plan, and occasional skills practice may find this approach helpful. To begin, prospective clients complete a short matching questionnaire and schedule their first session.
How her approaches fit into online care
Client-Centered Therapy places the person’s goals at the center of sessions and relies on active listening and collaboration. Online sessions using this approach typically focus on setting small goals and practicing skills between meetings so progress happens in everyday life.EMDR is a trauma-focused method that uses bilateral stimulation alongside focused recall of distressing memories to reduce their intensity. In remote sessions EMDR is adapted to the virtual setting and can be used for post-traumatic stress, sexual assault and abuse recovery, and other trauma-related concerns.
Motivational Interviewing helps people move toward change by exploring their own reasons and readiness. It is often brief and practical, which works well for resolving ambivalence about habits, addictions, or life changes.
Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will collaborate with the person to choose methods that match their needs, goals, and preferences. That decision is revisited as therapy progresses so the plan can change when needed.
Session formats were not specified in the supplied biography, so confirm current options before booking. Online appointments can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy week, offer shorter check-ins when needed, and reduce travel time. They can also let someone choose audio-only or video work depending on their comfort and bandwidth.
Areas of expertise
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
4+ years
Listed in
Maryland, Pennsylvania
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she address?
She works with stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, self-esteem, depression, coping with life changes, addictions, relationship and family concerns, grief, intimacy-related issues, bipolar concerns, and compassion fatigue, plus additional focuses like social anxiety and phobia.
What is her general therapeutic style?
She uses a client-centered approach that starts with listening and then sets clear, manageable goals. Practical strategies and skills are introduced as part of an active plan.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has four years of professional experience working with people on anxiety, trauma, motivation, self-esteem, and depression.
What are her credentials and where does she practice?
She holds LCSW and LCSW-C credentials with the LCSW-C tied to Maryland and practices in Pennsylvania.
Which languages are supported?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can people outside the country work with her?
International clients are not currently accepted.
What are the session formats?
Confirm current session options before booking since formats were not specified in the biography.
How do I get started?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.