Michelle Yorks

Starting therapy can feel uncomfortable, awkward, intimidating, and sometimes all at once. A lot of people come into therapy feeling overwhelmed, emotionally exhausted, stuck in patterns they cannot seem to break, or unsure where to even begin. My goal is to create a space where you do not feel judged, pressured, or like you have to “perform” being okay.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with experience working with adolescents and adults in community mental health, school-based settings, crisis intervention programs, child welfare, and behavioral health services. Over the years, I have worked with people navigating anxiety, trauma, depression, substance use, relationship stress, major life transitions, and the general weight of trying to hold everything together when life feels overwhelming.

I tend to work well with people who appreciate a therapist who is genuine, grounded, supportive, and also able to be direct when needed. I believe therapy should feel like a real conversation with someone who is in your corner, not like sitting across from someone silently taking notes while you wonder if you are saying the “right” thing.

My approach is collaborative, practical, and strengths-based. I use approaches like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing, trauma-informed care, and solution-focused techniques, but I also recognize that therapy is not one-size-fits-all. Different people need different things at different points in their lives.

I believe one of the most important parts of therapy is the relationship itself. I have seen people walk away from therapy altogether because they ended up with someone they did not connect with, and I never want clients to feel trapped in that experience. Therapy is meant to support you, not the therapist’s ego.

My style tends to be warm, open-minded, and solution-oriented while still making space for deeper conversations, self-reflection, and emotional processing. Sometimes therapy involves learning coping skills and creating structure. Sometimes it is about understanding patterns, relationships, stress, or experiences that continue to affect you. Most of the time, it is a little of both.

The first session is really about getting to know each other and figuring out whether this feels like a good fit for you.

We will talk about what is bringing you into therapy, what has been weighing on you, and what you are hoping for moving forward. You do not need to have everything perfectly explained or organized before showing up.

I will ask questions to better understand your background, current stressors, and goals, but there is no expectation that you have to share your entire life story immediately. We will move at a pace that feels manageable and comfortable for you.

More than anything, I want the first session to feel like a conversation where you can start to exhale a little instead of feeling like you are being evaluated.