Michelle Ross, LPC

Michelle Ross is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) practicing in Idaho with four years of clinical experience working with adolescents and adults. She focuses on mood and stress-related concerns, including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, trauma and abuse, and issues affecting LGBTQ clients. Her work often addresses related challenges such as abandonment, dissociation, family difficulties, identity and gender dysphoria, isolation, and problems with communication and life purpose.

Before entering the mental health field, she completed a Bachelor of Arts in German Language and Literature at the University of Oregon and served four years in the United States Navy as a Machinist Mate in naval engineering, attaining the rank of Petty Officer 3rd Class. She later earned a Bachelor of Science in Clinical Psychology from the University of Idaho and a Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Counseling.

Michelle emphasizes evidence-based care and specializes in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), with additional training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). She integrates different therapeutic methods to match each person’s needs, helping clients build on their strengths and take practical steps toward a more fulfilling life. As an ally of the LGBTQIA+ community, she offers affirmative and supportive care for gender and sexual identity concerns.

Combining CBT, DBT, and EMDR for Online Care

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, helps people identify and adjust unhelpful thinking patterns and behaviors to reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety, and mood-related concerns. It is practical and skills-focused, often including exercises to practice between sessions.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy, or DBT, teaches emotional regulation, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, and mindfulness skills. It can be especially useful for intense emotions, relationship difficulties, and patterns of self-harm or instability in mood.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, or EMDR, is a trauma-informed method that supports processing distressing memories and their emotional impact. When appropriate, it can help reduce the lingering effects of traumatic experiences.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. Michelle works with clients to explore which methods fit their goals, preferences, and life circumstances, and may blend techniques to create a personalized plan. Licensed professionals tailor care to each person rather than using a one-size-fits-all model.

Online therapy offers flexibility and access through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging. These options make it easier to fit sessions into busy schedules, maintain continuity during life transitions, and choose the format that feels most comfortable for each person.