- Collaborative approach
- Trauma-informed care
- Focus on recovery
About Michelle
Michelle McHugh is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) practicing in Arkansas. She has 23 years of clinical experience and draws on a background that includes inpatient addiction care, psychiatric settings, and outpatient mental health clinics. Michelle aims to create straightforward, nonjudgmental spaces where people can talk through worries and begin to make changes.
Her work often addresses stress, anxiety, depression, addictions, trauma and abuse, and relationship concerns. She also supports people dealing with grief, sleep problems, self-esteem struggles, bipolar mood issues, and life transitions. Codependency and family of origin issues are part of the additional concerns she helps people untangle.
Michelle combines practical methods such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Mindfulness Therapy with Motivational Interviewing and Trauma-Focused Therapy. She also uses Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) when appropriate. Her sessions tend to be collaborative and use everyday language rather than labels that can feel stigmatizing.
Her clinical background includes more than a decade of service as a Behavioral Health Officer in the Army National Guard, and several years working with active Guard soldiers and veterans across branches. Michelle works with LGBTQIA concerns, gender dysphoria, first responder issues, and prejudice or discrimination as part of her practice.
If someone wants to begin, Michelle asks for a short matching questionnaire and then schedules sessions to fit the person’s needs. She notes that subscription-based sessions can be canceled at any time.
How therapeutic approaches translate to online care
Michelle uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people notice unhelpful thoughts and try different behaviors. CBT is practical and often focuses on skills people can practice between sessions to reduce anxiety or improve mood.She also uses Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) as an option for addressing trauma-related memories and intense reactions. EMDR sessions aim to reduce the distress tied to traumatic events through structured processing work.
Finding the right approach is part of the work together. Michelle will talk with each person about goals, symptoms, and preferences, then suggest methods that fit. Decisions about whether to use CBT, EMDR, mindfulness, or Motivational Interviewing are collaborative and adjusted as needed.
Confirm current session options before booking to know which online formats are offered. Online therapy can make it easier to fit appointments into a busy schedule, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and remove travel time. Many people find that remote sessions let them keep progress going during life transitions and recovery phases.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
23+ years
Credentials
Alabama, Arkansas
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does Michelle address?
She works with stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma and abuse, depression, relationship issues, grief, sleep problems, self-esteem, bipolar mood issues, and coping with life changes. Additional focuses include codependency, family of origin issues, and substance use concerns.
What is Michelle's therapeutic approach?
Sessions are collaborative and client-focused, using plain language. She draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness practices, Motivational Interviewing, EMDR, and Trauma-Focused Therapy to fit individual needs.
How much clinical experience does she have?
Michelle has 23 years of experience in a range of settings including inpatient addiction rehab, inpatient psychiatric facilities, and outpatient clinics.
Where is Michelle licensed and based?
She holds AL LICSW and AR LCSW credentials and practices in Arkansas.
Which languages are supported for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can international clients work with her?
International clients are accepted; confirm details and scheduling when beginning the process.
How does pricing and payment work?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability, and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
What are the first steps to begin therapy?
Select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule sessions according to the therapist's availability.
Profile details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. Credential and registration rules differ between the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia.