- Client-centered approach
- CBT strategies
- Mindfulness skills
About Michele
Michele Petersmark is an Illinois-licensed clinician who brings 20 years of experience to her work. She focuses on creating a respectful, caring space where people can begin to sort out anxiety, stress, and changes life brings. Michele uses simple, direct conversation and practical steps to help people feel steadier and more able to cope.
Michele adapts her approach to each person. She draws on client-centered methods to follow what matters most to the individual. She uses cognitive behavioral tools when people want concrete ways to change thoughts and habits that feed anxiety or depression.
She also includes skills from dialectical behavior therapy and mindfulness to help manage strong feelings and regain calm. Solution-focused techniques are used to set small, achievable goals and track progress between sessions. Michele aims for clear, doable strategies rather than long lists of theory.
Her background includes work across common life concerns such as relationship strains, parenting stress, grief, trauma and mood challenges. She lists panic disorder and panic attacks among the issues she addresses and works with people who want support with those symptoms.
Michele describes her process as collaborative. She listens, tailors plans, and helps people build practical coping tools they can use day to day. She recognizes that starting therapy takes courage and tries to make the first steps as straightforward as possible.
How Michele’s Approaches Work Online
Michele commonly integrates client-centered therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy in her work. Client-centered therapy means she listens closely and follows what matters most to the person, helping them find their own solutions. Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and trying practical exercises to change patterns that keep anxiety or low mood in place.She also draws on dialectical behavior therapy skills when strong emotions feel overwhelming. DBT techniques teach concrete strategies for managing intense feelings and improving emotional balance in day-to-day life. Michele approaches choices of method as a collaborative process and will discuss which tools seem most useful for each person.
Finding the right mix of approaches is part of the early work. Michele will help you decide what to try based on your goals, preferences, and how you respond to initial sessions. This collaborative planning makes it easier to adjust methods over time if something isn’t helpful.
The therapist's biography does not list specific online session formats, so confirm the available options before booking. Online work can make it simpler to fit therapy into busy schedules, reduce travel time, and allow for shorter check-ins when needed. Michele uses practical, skills-based exercises that translate well to remote sessions and to daily life between appointments.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
20+ years
Listed in
Illinois
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What problems does Michele help with?
She works with stress, anxiety, depression, relationship concerns, parenting strain, grief, trauma, mood issues, and panic disorder and panic attacks among other areas.
How would you describe her therapy style?
Her style is warm and practical. She uses client-centered listening plus goal-focused tools like CBT and solution-focused methods.
What experience does she bring to sessions?
She holds 20 years of professional work experience and applies that background to help people with everyday coping and emotional challenges.
What credentials and location are listed?
She is an LCPC licensed in Illinois and provides services from that state.
Are sessions offered in other languages or internationally?
Sessions are offered in English and Michele accepts international clients.
What session formats are available?
The original biography does not list specific session formats; please confirm current session options before booking.
How is cost handled for sessions?
Cost varies with location and therapist arrangements; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with Michele?
Use the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to the therapist's availability.