- Years in practice
- 12
- Credentials
- LCSW
- Licensed in
- New Jersey
- Languages
- English
- Focus
- Stress, Anxiety
- Focus
- Family conflicts
- Focus
- Grief
About Michelle
Michelle Castellani is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with a background in healthcare and independent practice. She has spent more than a decade helping people navigate life changes and intense stress. Her work often focuses on anxiety, mood concerns, and relationship struggles.
She also supports people dealing with grief, addictions, eating issues, and parenting challenges. Before independent practice she worked in medical settings where crisis intervention and adjustment support were central.
Background and approach
That experience shaped a practical way of responding when someone faces sudden illness or a major life shift. She brings calm, clear steps learned in those settings into routine therapy work. Her approach mixes evidence-based tools with strengths-focused work.
She uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to look at how thoughts, feelings, and behaviors connect. She also draws on skills from Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction, helping people use simple meditation and attention practices when they find that helpful. Sessions aim to identify clear problems and practical next steps.
She listens first, then helps name the problem so a plan makes sense. Clients often leave with small exercises to try between meetings and ways to notice progress. Michelle has worked in independent practice since 2007 and brings 12 years of experience to her LCSW role.
She practices in New Jersey and conducts sessions in English. She often helps people who are juggling work, parenting, and mental health concerns.
What Michelle works with
Everything Michelle lists, in the therapist's own terms. Parenting is the reason this directory exists; the rest shows what else Michelle helps people with.
- Stress, Anxiety
- Family conflicts
- Grief
- Eating disorders
- Addictions
- LGBT
- Relationship issues
- Trauma and abuse
- Intimacy-related issues
- Sleeping disorders
- Parenting issues
- Anger management
- Self esteem
- Career difficulties
- Bipolar disorder
- Depression
How Michelle Uses Evidence-Based Techniques Online
Michelle often uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help clients see how thoughts influence feelings and actions, then practice small behavior changes to reduce anxiety or improve mood. She also draws on Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction, teaching short meditation and attention exercises that reduce reactivity and improve focus.Choosing the right approach is a shared process. She works together with each person to decide which techniques fit their goals, lifestyle, and comfort level. That might mean trying mindfulness exercises for a few weeks, then adding CBT skills to manage panic or negative thinking patterns.
Online sessions are offered by video calls, phone, live chat, and text-based messaging to fit different needs. Video lets people read facial cues and do deeper work. Phone can be less bandwidth intensive and easier on busy days. Live chat and text messaging suit quick check-ins, brief homework reviews, or moments when writing feels clearer than speaking. These options make it easier to keep therapy consistent around work, parenting, and other obligations.
Questions people ask about Michelle
What kinds of concerns does she help with?
She supports people with stress, anxiety, depression and bipolar disorder, grief, eating issues, addictions, trauma and relationship or intimacy-related struggles. Parenting-related concerns are also listed among her focus areas.
What is her therapeutic style like?
Her style is practical and direct. She listens first, then helps name the problem and work out clear steps to try between sessions.
How much experience does she have?
She has 12 years of clinical experience, including years spent in healthcare settings and independent practice since 2007.
What are her credentials and where is she located?
She holds a Master of Social Work and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in New Jersey.
Which languages are supported?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can international clients schedule with her?
International clients are not currently accepted.
What session formats are offered?
She works by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to allow flexible check-ins and different ways to communicate.
How do I start working with her?
Click the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions based on therapist availability. The subscription model can be canceled at any time.
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