Therapist profile
Michelle Durham, LPC
Licensed Professional Counselor - Relationships and Family Concerns
Continue with MichelleAbout
- ACT
- CBT
- Mindfulness
About Michelle
Michelle Durham is an LPC - Licensed Professional Counselor in the District of Columbia with 19 years of experience. She works with adults facing stress, anxiety, depression, relationship strain, addictions, trauma, grief, and family or caregiving pressures.
Michelle draws on approaches such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, client-centered work, mindfulness, and narrative techniques. She uses those methods to help people notice what matters, change unhelpful patterns, and rebuild everyday routines that support wellbeing.
Much of her background is in nonprofit, community-based settings where she provided direct counseling to people dealing with substance use, homelessness, trauma, severe mood concerns, unemployment, and challenges tied to the criminal legal and foster care systems. That work shaped her focus on practical skills and on handling life stresses that get in the way of daily functioning.
Her practice often addresses issues like compassion fatigue, intimacy concerns, communication problems, infidelity, isolation, workplace stress, and military or first responder-related challenges. She also works with people navigating multicultural concerns, polyamory or non-monogamous relationship dynamics, and caregiver stress.
Sessions emphasize collaborative, strength-based problem solving. Michelle aims to help clients build coping strategies, manage symptoms, and make changes that fit their life. To begin, she asks people to complete a short matching questionnaire and schedule a first session so treatment goals can be set together.
How sessions work
How Michelle uses evidence-based approaches online
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people clarify what matters most and take committed steps toward those values despite difficult thoughts or feelings. It is useful for stress, anxiety, and decisions about relationships or caregiving. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns. CBT can help with depression, anxiety, anger, and stress by teaching practical coping skills and short-term behavior experiments. Mindfulness Therapy involves simple practices to increase present-moment awareness and reduce reactivity, which often supports emotion regulation and stress management.Choosing the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will discuss options and try methods that fit your goals and preferences. Progress is collaborative - techniques are adjusted based on what helps you make small, manageable changes.
Session logistics should be confirmed before booking since formats are not specified here. Ask which online formats are offered when you complete the matching questionnaire. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy life, shorten commute time, allow brief check-ins during a lunch break, or avoid being on camera when that is preferable.
Areas of focus
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
19+ years
Listed in
District of Columbia
Languages
English
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does she work with?
She works with adults on issues such as anxiety, depression, addictions, trauma and family or relationship strain.
What is her therapeutic style?
Her style is client-centered and strength-based, using practical techniques from CBT, ACT, mindfulness, narrative, and solution-focused work.
How much experience does she have?
She has 19 years of experience providing counseling in community and nonprofit settings.
What credential does she hold and where does she practice?
She is an LPC - Licensed Professional Counselor licensed in the District of Columbia.
Can she work with non-English speakers or international clients?
Sessions are offered in English and she does not accept international clients at this time.
What session formats are offered?
Confirm current session options before booking to verify which formats are available for your needs.
How are costs handled?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I get started?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. A license can be checked with the state board.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If anyone is in danger, use the crisis numbers.