Michelle Yorks

Starting therapy can feel uncomfortable, awkward, intimidating, and sometimes all of those things at once. You might be feeling overwhelmed, emotionally exhausted, stuck in patterns you cannot seem to break, or simply unsure where to begin. My goal is to create a space where you can show up as you are without feeling judged, pressured, or like you have to “perform” being okay.

I work with adolescents and adults navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, substance use concerns, behavioral challenges, relationship stress, and major life transitions. I also work with couples experiencing communication difficulties, recurring conflict, disconnection, or other challenges within their relationship. Whether you are trying to better understand yourself, cope with something difficult, change patterns that are no longer working, or strengthen your relationships, we can work together to figure out what moving forward looks like for you.

I tend to work well with people who appreciate a therapist who is genuine, grounded, supportive, and willing 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. You do not need to have everything figured out before starting therapy. We can start with where you are and go from there.

My approach is collaborative, practical, and strengths-based. I draw from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing, trauma-informed care, and solution-focused techniques, while recognizing that therapy is not one-size-fits-all. What works for one person may not work for another, and what you need from therapy may change over time. We will work together to find an approach that makes sense for you.

I also believe the relationship you have with your therapist matters. Feeling comfortable, understood, and able to be honest can make a real difference in therapy. If something is not working, I want you to feel comfortable saying so. Therapy is your space, and you should never feel like you have to protect your therapist’s feelings or pretend an approach is helping when it is not.

My style is warm, open-minded, and solution-oriented, but I am also comfortable having direct and deeper conversations when needed. Sometimes our work may focus on practical coping skills, problem-solving, or creating more structure. Other times, we may slow things down and explore patterns, relationships, stressors, or past experiences that continue to affect you. Most often, therapy is a combination of both, shaped by what you need and where you want to go.

The first session is really about getting to know each other, understanding what brings you to therapy, and seeing whether working together feels like a good fit. We will talk about what has been going on, what has been weighing on you, and what you would like to get out of therapy. You do not need to show up with everything perfectly explained, organized, or figured out.

I will ask questions to better understand you, your background, current stressors, and what you would like to work toward, but there is no expectation that you share your entire life story in the first hour. You get to decide what you are ready to talk about, and we can build from there.

Most importantly, I want the first session to feel like a real conversation, not an interview or evaluation. My goal is for you to leave with a better sense of what therapy with me will look like, where we might start, and hopefully feeling a little more comfortable than when you first logged on.