CBT Therapist Directory

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Michele McShea, LCSW

Compassionate LCSW guiding lasting healing and coping
  • Anxiety and relationship support
  • LGBTQ+ affirming care
  • Video calls and messaging

About Michele McShea

Michele McShea is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) practicing in Illinois with 19 years of experience supporting individuals, couples, and groups. She combines practical coping strategies with opportunities for deeper insight to help people move toward lasting change and greater satisfaction in their inner and outer lives. Michele emphasizes that healing is a process - as people build confidence and refine their responses to stress, relationships, and life transitions, they often find a growing sense of peace and improved functioning.

Michele has worked with a wide range of concerns including anxiety, depression, trauma and post-traumatic stress, relationship struggles, issues related to sexual orientation and gender identity, and family of origin dynamics. She also addresses challenges such as self-esteem, addictions, grief, intimacy-related issues, and coping with major life changes. Her approach blends practical tools for coping with deeper therapeutic work so clients can both manage symptoms and pursue deeper, lasting growth.

Known for treating issues like abandonment, body image, codependency, communication and commitment problems, and the impact of infidelity or separation, Michele views it as an honor to be invited to walk alongside people through difficult times. She brings experience and a collaborative stance to help clients identify goals, develop skills, and strengthen their capacity to engage with life more fully.

Areas of Expertise

Primary Focus

Stress, AnxietyLGBTRelationship issuesSelf esteemDepression

Also Specializes In

AddictionsFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseGriefIntimacy-related issuesCoping with life changes

Additional Focus Areas

AbandonmentBody imageCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesDependent personalityDivorce and separationEmptinessFamily of origin issuesForgivenessGuilt and shameHIV / AIDSInfidelityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyMen's issuesMidlife crisisMood disordersNarcissismObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPanic disorder and panic attacksPhobiasPost-traumatic stressSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-loveSexualitySocial anxiety and phobiaWomen's issues

Therapeutic Approach

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Existential Therapy Hypnotherapy Psychodynamic Therapy Solution-Focused Therapy

Frequently Asked Questions

How much experience does Michele McShea have?

Michele McShea has 19 years of experience as a therapist.

Is Michele McShea a licensed therapist?

Yes. She holds an LCSW, which stands for Licensed Clinical Social Worker. License details: IL LCSW 149013603.

In which languages does Michele McShea provide therapy?

Therapy is provided in English.

Where is Michele McShea located?

She is located in Illinois.

How can I work with Michele McShea as my therapist?

You can work with Michele McShea through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.

Does Michele McShea work with international clients?

Yes, Michele McShea works with international clients.

How much does therapy with Michele McShea cost?

The cost of therapy can vary depending on factors such as your location and the therapist's availability. Sessions are billed through a subscription that can be canceled at any time, for any reason. For current details, click the "Start Therapy" button on this page.

How can I get started with therapy?

Getting started with therapy is quick and straightforward. Click the "Start Therapy" button and complete a short questionnaire that helps match you with your therapist. Depending on availability, you can then schedule your first session, which may take place by phone, video call, live chat, or in-app messaging.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care

Michele often uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help clients identify and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors; CBT is practical and often useful for managing anxiety, stress, low mood, and patterns that interfere with daily functioning. She also draws on Existential Therapy to explore questions about meaning, values, and personal responsibility - an approach that can be helpful for people facing major life changes, feelings of emptiness, or struggles with identity. When appropriate, Michele may incorporate Hypnotherapy as a focused technique to support relaxation, build coping skills, and address issues like habit change or trauma-related symptoms.

Choosing the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and Michele works collaboratively with each person to determine what fits best based on their needs, goals, and preferences. She blends methods as needed, balancing insight-oriented work with solution-focused strategies to support both immediate coping and longer-term growth.

Online therapy options include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, offering flexibility for different schedules and comfort levels. These formats make it easier to access licensed professionals from wherever you are, and they allow therapy to be woven into busy lives while maintaining consistency and continuity of care.

Ready to start therapy with Michele McShea?

Take the first step toward a better you.