Michele Rowland-Bird, LCSW

Michele Rowland-Bird is a California Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with 28 years of experience supporting children, families, and adults, including people who are or have been involved in the foster care system. She brings a calm, attentive presence to sessions and values listening as a central part of the therapeutic process. Michele believes that therapy can be an effective path toward living a fuller life and guides clients toward practical changes that support that goal.

In her practice she focuses on teaching cognitive behavioral skills, helping people identify inaccurate or unhelpful thoughts and reframe them into more realistic, balanced perspectives. As thoughts shift, clients often notice changes in feelings and behaviors that open the way for new healing experiences. This skills-based approach is especially useful for individuals coping with depression and anxiety, and Michele applies it when working on stress, trauma and abuse, grief, relationship and family concerns, parenting, self-esteem, career challenges, LGBT-related issues, self-harm, and broader life transitions.

Michele works with a wide range of people and tailors her support to each person’s needs and goals. She does not practice messaging therapy or couples therapy. Beginning a wellness journey requires courage, and Michele looks forward to working with clients who are ready to take that step.

CBT-Based Support and Flexible Online Sessions

Michele centers her online work on cognitive behavioral therapy, teaching clients to notice and reframe unhelpful thinking patterns and to build practical skills that reduce distress and improve daily functioning. This approach helps people manage symptoms of anxiety and depression by changing the links between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.

In practice she emphasizes cognitive behavioral skills training - concrete exercises and strategies clients can use between sessions to reinforce progress and handle life’s stressors more effectively. These techniques are adaptable to different concerns, from managing stress and grief to addressing trauma responses and parenting challenges.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. Michele works with each person to determine which techniques fit their needs, goals, and preferences, adjusting methods over time so therapy remains practical and relevant.

Online therapy offers convenient access to licensed professionals through video calls and phone sessions, and the option to connect by live chat or text-based messaging when appropriate. This flexibility can make it easier to fit sessions into busy schedules, maintain continuity of care, and access support from home or other locations.