Michelle Shimizu

I'm Michelle, a bilingual (English/Spanish) LCSW with over 20 years of experience supporting teens and young adults through anxiety, depression, emotional overwhelm,

and the transitions that come with growing up. I'm Afro-Latina, a mom, and someone who deeply understands what it means to navigate life at the intersection of multiple identities. I work virtually with clients across Virginia through Mindful Momentum Therapy PLLC, my private practice. I accept Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, CareFirst, and Cigna — and I offer a sliding scale for those who need it. My schedule includes evenings and weekends, because I know life doesn't stop for business hours.

Therapy with me is practical and personalized. I draw primarily from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Solution-Focused therapy — which means we don't just talk about what's hard, we build the actual skills to navigate it. I take a strength-based, culturally responsive lens with every client: your story, identity, and lived experience matter to how we work together. I meet clients where they are — not where they "should" be — and I

use motivational interviewing to help them clarify what they actually want to change and how to get there. You'll leave sessions with something concrete, not just conversation.

Expect an honest, warm conversation — not a cold intake form. In our first session, I'll actively listen as we explore what brought you here, what's been getting in the way, and

what you actually want things to look like. We'll start building a picture of your goals together, and by the end you'll have a clear sense of what our work will look like. I'll also check in on what's felt like it hasn't worked in the past — so we can do this differently.

You don't need to have it all figured out to start. Just show up.