Michelle McHugh, LICSW, LCSW

Michelle McHugh is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) who holds a Master of Social Work (MSW) from the New York University School of Social Work and brings 23 years of clinical experience. She is licensed in Alabama and Arkansas - AL LICSW 1799C and AR LCSW 9844-C - and has practiced across inpatient addiction rehabilitation, inpatient psychiatric units, and outpatient mental health clinics, building focused expertise in areas such as LGBTQIA concerns, substance use disorders, trauma and PTSD, codependency, and shame reduction.

Her background includes more than 11 years of active service in the Army National Guard as a Behavioral Health Officer and eight years working directly with active Guard members and military veterans from all branches. McHugh’s counseling approach is collaborative and client-centered, intentionally avoiding stigmatizing language or labels. She blends Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with mindfulness practices, 12-step recovery principles, elements of Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing to address each person’s goals.

She is trained and certified in evidence-based trauma treatments including Cognitive Processing Therapy and EMDR, and she tailors therapeutic methods to individual needs. Her practice focuses on stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma and abuse, depression, relationship issues, grief, sleep concerns, self-esteem challenges, bipolar disorder, and coping with life changes, with additional emphasis on aging and geriatric issues, family of origin matters, first responder and veteran issues, gender dysphoria, and related concerns.