Michelle Fennessy, LCSW
Licensed LCSW helping anxiety and life transitions
- 20 years experience
- Anxiety and trauma
- Mindfulness and CBT
About Michelle Fennessy
Michelle Fennessy is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) based in Florida with two decades of clinical experience. She earned a Master of Social Work from Columbia University and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Mount Holyoke College, and she brings a blend of graduate training and personal insight to her therapeutic work.
Michelle emphasizes courage and self-awareness as the first steps toward change, and she honors the vulnerability involved in sharing difficult thoughts and feelings. Her own experience as a therapy client during training informs a compassionate approach - she understands that opening up often takes time and that the therapeutic journey is worth the effort.
Her practice focuses on anxiety, depression, trauma, heartbreak, and addictive or self-destructive behaviors such as binge-eating, over-drinking, and compulsive social media or texting behaviors. She also supports people navigating relationship challenges - including mid-marriage crises - the unique stressors of expatriate life, parenting strains, grief, and career transitions. Michelle integrates a strengths-based perspective with cognitive and goal-oriented methods, and she is interested in energy psychology and how shifting thoughts can change emotional experience.
Michelle also works with issues related to intimacy, family dynamics, compassion fatigue, and a range of concerns from abandonment and codependency to forgiveness and body image. She frames therapy as a process of discovering more life-affirming thoughts and actions so each person can move toward a life they want and a life that feels responsive to them.
Michelle emphasizes courage and self-awareness as the first steps toward change, and she honors the vulnerability involved in sharing difficult thoughts and feelings. Her own experience as a therapy client during training informs a compassionate approach - she understands that opening up often takes time and that the therapeutic journey is worth the effort.
Her practice focuses on anxiety, depression, trauma, heartbreak, and addictive or self-destructive behaviors such as binge-eating, over-drinking, and compulsive social media or texting behaviors. She also supports people navigating relationship challenges - including mid-marriage crises - the unique stressors of expatriate life, parenting strains, grief, and career transitions. Michelle integrates a strengths-based perspective with cognitive and goal-oriented methods, and she is interested in energy psychology and how shifting thoughts can change emotional experience.
Michelle also works with issues related to intimacy, family dynamics, compassion fatigue, and a range of concerns from abandonment and codependency to forgiveness and body image. She frames therapy as a process of discovering more life-affirming thoughts and actions so each person can move toward a life they want and a life that feels responsive to them.
Areas of Expertise
Primary Focus
Also Specializes In
AddictionsFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseIntimacy-related issuesParenting issuesAnger managementCareer difficultiesCoping with life changesCompassion fatigue
Additional Focus Areas
AbandonmentAging and geriatric issuesBody imageCancerCaregiver issues and stressCodependencyCommitment issuesDivorce and separationEating and food-related issuesEmptinessForgivenessGuilt and shameImpulsivityInfidelityJealousyLife purposeMidlife crisisPanic disorder and panic attacksPostpartum depressionPrejudice and discriminationProcess addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)Self-loveSex addictionSexualityWomen's issues
Therapeutic Approach
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Mindfulness Therapy Solution-Focused Therapy Internal Family Systems
Frequently Asked Questions
How much experience does Michelle Fennessy have?
Michelle Fennessy has 20 years of clinical experience.
Is Michelle Fennessy a licensed therapist?
Yes. She holds the credential LCSW, which stands for Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Her license details are FL LCSW SW14710.
In which languages does Michelle Fennessy provide therapy?
Michelle Fennessy provides therapy in English.
Where is Michelle Fennessy located?
She is located in Florida.
How can I work with Michelle Fennessy as my therapist?
You can work with Michelle Fennessy through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.
Does Michelle Fennessy work with international clients?
Yes, Michelle Fennessy works with international clients.
How much does therapy with Michelle Fennessy 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.
Practical Approaches for Online Therapy
Michelle Fennessy draws on evidence-informed methods that translate well to remote work. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying and shifting unhelpful thoughts and behaviors - it helps with anxiety, depression, and patterns like binge-eating or compulsive use of social media by teaching practical skills for change. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) encourages clarifying values and building psychological flexibility - it supports people coping with trauma, grief, and life transitions by helping them take meaningful action even when difficult feelings are present. Mindfulness Therapy cultivates present-moment awareness and self-compassion - this approach can ease stress, improve emotion regulation, and reduce reactivity in relationships.Choosing the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and Michelle works collaboratively to find the best fit for an individual’s needs, goals, and preferences. She combines methods as appropriate and adjusts the plan over time so therapy stays relevant and effective for each person.
Online therapy offers practical flexibility - sessions can occur by video call, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging to accommodate different schedules, locations, and comfort levels. These options make it easier to maintain continuity of care, respond to life changes, and access licensed professionals without added travel time.