Michele Koenes, LMSW, LCSW

Michele Koenes is a licensed master's-level social worker with 11 years of clinical experience who provides compassionate, person-centered care across the life span. She has practiced in both inpatient and outpatient settings, working with young adults, adults, and older adults facing a wide array of mental health concerns. Her background includes roles as a litigation attorney and as a teacher, experiences that have sharpened her communication skills and her ability to relate to people from diverse backgrounds.

Michele approaches therapy as a collaborative process, remaining responsive to each client’s unique personality, situation, and goals. She emphasizes empathy and allows clients to set the pace of therapy, believing that this kind of attunement supports meaningful progress and the achievement of desired outcomes. Michele views the therapeutic relationship as a space where all parts of a person can be welcomed and explored, including the aspects that may feel difficult to share.

She holds the credentials LMSW and LCSW - LMSW stands for Licensed Master Social Worker and LCSW stands for Licensed Clinical Social Worker - and maintains licensure in multiple states: Michigan license number 6801065517, California license LCSW 118004, and New Hampshire license number 3943. Michele strives to build and maintain a setting for growth and healing and is ready to begin the process with new clients.

Approaches that guide online therapy and support

Michele Koenes integrates Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Attachment-Based Therapy alongside a client-centered stance to tailor work to each person’s needs. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT, helps clients notice difficult thoughts and feelings without getting stuck in them while clarifying personal values and taking actions that align with what matters most; it can be useful for anxiety, stress, and coping with life changes. Attachment-Based Therapy focuses on patterns of connection and trust formed in relationships and helps people understand and shift ways of relating that contribute to distress, which is often helpful for relationship challenges and attachment concerns. Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes empathy, respect, and collaboration, creating a supportive environment where clients guide the pace and direction of work and build self-understanding.

Michele approaches treatment as a collaborative process - she will work with each client to explore which combination of methods best fits their goals, preferences, and circumstances. Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic journey and is shaped together over time.

Online therapy with Michele is offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to provide flexibility and accessibility for different schedules and comfort levels. These options allow clients to continue consistent work without travel and to choose the format that best supports their engagement and progress.