Michelle Hunt

As a Licensed Independent Social Worker with Supervisory Designation and nearly 20 years of experience, I am passionate about helping individuals navigate life's challenges with greater confidence, resilience, and hope. I have extensive experience supporting clients with anxiety, depression, trauma, abuse, domestic violence, substance use, grief, relationship concerns, life transitions, family conflict, and professional stress. I also enjoy working with helping professionals and others experiencing burnout, career transitions, workplace challenges, and leadership responsibilities.

I earned my Master of Social Science Administration from Case Western Reserve University's Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences and have been a Licensed Independent Social Worker in Ohio since 2008. My goal is to help every client feel heard, supported, and empowered with practical tools to build healthier relationships, greater confidence, and improved emotional well-being.

My approach is genuine, collaborative, and easy-going. I believe there is no one-size-fits-all approach to therapy, so I tailor treatment to each client's unique strengths, goals, and needs. I strive to create a safe, supportive, and nonjudgmental environment where clients feel comfortable being themselves. While therapy often involves difficult conversations, I believe humor can also be an important part of healing and, when appropriate, use it to help build connection and reduce stress.

I draw from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing, strengths-based interventions, trauma-informed care, and family systems perspectives to help clients better understand themselves, develop healthy coping skills, overcome obstacles, and create meaningful, lasting change. I also provide coaching and support for individuals navigating workplace challenges, career growth, and professional decision-making.

What to Expect During Your First Session

Starting therapy can feel like a big step, and it's normal to feel unsure about what to expect. My goal is to create a welcoming, relaxed, and judgment-free space where you can be yourself.

During our first session, we'll spend time getting to know each other. I'll ask questions about what brought you to therapy, your current concerns, your background, and what you hope to gain from counseling. This is also an opportunity for you to ask questions about my approach and determine whether we're a good fit. Together, we'll identify your strengths, discuss what's working and what's feeling challenging, and begin developing goals that are meaningful to you. Rather than feeling like an interrogation, I aim for our conversation to feel natural, collaborative, and supportive.

My approach is warm, genuine, and practical. I'll meet you where you are, offer guidance and honest feedback when helpful, and may even incorporate humor when appropriate to help put you at ease. By the end of our first session, you'll have a better understanding of how we can work together and some initial ideas or tools to help you begin moving toward the changes you want to make.

Whether you're seeking support for anxiety, relationships, trauma, life transitions, or professional challenges, my hope is that you'll leave your first session feeling heard, understood, and hopeful about the path ahead.