- Anxiety and stress
- Self-esteem work
- Blended family issues
About Michelle
Michelle Santana is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with seven years of clinical experience based in Connecticut. She helps people manage anxiety, depression, stress, self-esteem concerns, career questions, and coping with life changes. Michelle speaks English and Spanish and notes attention to cultural identity and family dynamics.
Michelle sees many people who feel overwhelmed or stuck and want concrete steps to feel steadier. She blends evidence-based techniques with deeper reflective work. That can include looking at past experiences, attending to mind-body connections, and addressing attachment or abandonment themes.
Her sessions aim to slow things down so clients can name patterns and try different responses. When appropriate, she shifts to practical problem-solving to identify realistic next steps. This might look like setting small goals, testing new ways of relating, or practicing brief skills between sessions.
Michelle pays attention to how family of origin issues and blended household dynamics affect daily life. She can talk through loyalty conflicts, merging routines, and questions that come up when partners bring children together. She does not provide legal or custody advice.
As a bilingual clinician and first-generation professional, she considers cultural pressures alongside personal struggles. To get started, clients complete a short matching questionnaire and schedule a first session through the site.
Online approaches for blended household concerns
Michelle combines evidence-based techniques with reflective work to address day-to-day stressors and relational patterns. One approach she uses focuses on brief, solution-focused strategies - identifying small, actionable steps clients can try between sessions to change routines or reactions. This is helpful for managing immediate stress, setting boundaries, or trying new parenting or stepparenting habits.She also draws on mind-body or somatic practices to help people notice how emotions show up in the body and learn simple techniques to reduce physical tension. That can support anxiety management, sleep, and calmer responses during conflict. In addition, she attends to attachment and past relationship patterns to understand why certain situations feel triggering and how to respond differently.
Finding the right approach is part of the work. She will collaborate with each person to choose methods that match their goals and preferences. That means checking in on what helps, adjusting techniques, and deciding together whether to emphasize skill-building, reflective exploration, or practical problem-solving.
Session logistics should be confirmed before booking because formats are not listed here. Online options can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy week, avoid travel time, or choose a shorter check-in when needed. Confirm the specific session formats offered and schedule through the site to start.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Additional focus areas
Experience
7+ years
Listed in
Connecticut, New Jersey
Languages
English, Spanish
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does she address?
She works with anxiety, depression, stress, self-esteem, career questions, and coping with life changes. Additional focuses include attachment, abandonment, and blended family issues.
What is her therapeutic style?
Her approach mixes evidence-based techniques with reflective work and somatic awareness. She also uses solution-focused steps when clients want clear, practical actions.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has seven years of experience as a practicing clinician. That background includes work with patterns stemming from family dynamics and cultural identity.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) licensed in New Jersey and Connecticut and is based in Connecticut.
Which languages are supported in sessions?
Sessions are offered in English and Spanish.
Can she work with international clients?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
How are session formats arranged?
Session formats are not specified here; please confirm the current session options before booking through the site.
How do fees and scheduling work?
Cost varies by location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time. To begin, select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Online talk therapy is for adults and is not emergency care, mediation or legal advice. If you or a child are in danger, use the emergency numbers. Find someone else by name.