- Self esteem work
- Career coaching
- Mindfulness practice
About Michelle
Michelle Lesesne-De Santis is a Florida licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) with 25 years of experience. She works with people who struggle with self-esteem, career uncertainty, and coping with big life changes. Michelle also offers coaching for professionals and addresses compassion fatigue and related concerns.
She draws on practices from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Client-Centered Therapy to help people notice what matters to them. Sessions often include straightforward conversation, practical steps, and short exercises to try between meetings. Michelle also uses mindfulness and narrative techniques to help people reframe difficult experiences and build clearer next steps.
Her work covers additional issues such as body image, cancer-related adjustment, communication problems, and isolation or loneliness. She also supports people dealing with traumatic brain injury, forgiveness work, midlife transitions, and women's issues. Life purpose and self-love are frequent topics when clients say they feel stuck or unsure what to do next.
Michelle keeps the focus on concrete goals like improving confidence, making career moves, or managing stress from caregiving and professional roles. She adapts conversation and homework to each person's concerns and pace. People who meet with her can expect a collaborative, practical approach that connects values to everyday choices.
Sessions are provided in English from Florida. Prospective clients who want to explore coaching or therapy are encouraged to confirm current session options before booking.
How therapeutic methods translate to online work
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on identifying personal values and taking small actions that align with them. It helps with feeling stuck, career decisions, and adapting after major life changes. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at thoughts and behaviors and uses practical exercises to change patterns that harm confidence or motivation. Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes the client’s perspective and uses reflective listening to clarify goals and preferences.Finding the right approach is part of the process. The therapist works collaboratively to see which methods fit a person’s needs, goals, and comfort level. That choice can be adjusted over time as practical results and preferences become clearer.
The biography does not list specific online session formats, so confirm current options before booking. Online sessions can make it easier to fit meetings into a workday, reduce travel time, and allow for shorter check-ins when schedules are tight. Phone or video sessions each have practical trade-offs - for example phone calls use less bandwidth, while video lets the therapist notice nonverbal cues - and these are discussed when arranging first appointments. Licensed professionals can help arrange a plan that fits everyday life and commitments.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
25+ years
Listed in
Florida
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does she help with?
She helps people with self-esteem, career uncertainty, coping with life changes, and compassion fatigue. Additional topics include body image, life purpose, communication problems, and midlife concerns.
How does she approach someone who feels stuck?
She uses practical conversation plus exercises from ACT, CBT, and client-centered work to clarify values and small steps. Mindfulness and narrative techniques are used to reframe moments of stuckness.
How much experience does she have?
She has 25 years of professional experience working with adults on motivation, confidence, career difficulties, and coaching.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She is a Florida LCSW, a licensed clinical social worker practicing in Florida.
Which languages are supported?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can international clients work with her?
She is not accepting international clients at this time.
What session formats are offered?
Please confirm current session formats before booking, as the biography does not list specific formats. The therapist can clarify options when you begin the sign-up steps.
How are fees handled and how do I begin?
Fees vary by location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time. To start, select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule your first session.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger, use the crisis numbers.