Profile / United States
Michele "Shelly" Virva, LMSW
Michigan
LMSW - Stress and addiction support
See online therapy options- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Motivational Interviewing
- Mindfulness techniques
About Michele
Michele "Shelly" Virva is a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) in Michigan with 20 years of professional experience. She works with people facing stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma and abuse, depression, and life changes. Michele focuses on practical steps that help people manage day-to-day strain and make changes that matter.
Her style centers on clear goals and straightforward skills. She uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people notice unhelpful thoughts and try different responses. She also draws on client-centered listening and mindfulness to slow things down and clarify priorities.
Michele has long experience supporting people through substance use concerns and trauma. She uses motivational interviewing to explore readiness to change and solution-focused techniques to build small, reachable actions. Sessions often include problem-solving and simple behavioral experiments to test what works.
She pays attention to practical stressors such as caregiver strain, workplace pressures, and physical health challenges. Michele also helps with issues tied to pregnancy and childbirth, women's issues, and relationship communication problems. She works with overlapping problems, like mood disorders combined with chronic pain or substance concerns.
Sessions are conducted in English and Michele does not accept international clients. Costs vary by location and use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time. To begin, clients complete a short matching questionnaire and schedule a first session via the online therapy options.
Using CBT, client-centered work, and mindfulness online
Many of Michele's approaches translate into focused online sessions. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is about identifying unhelpful thoughts and testing small behavior changes to see what helps. Client-centered work emphasizes listening and reflection so people can name goals and decide what matters most. Mindfulness therapy teaches short attention and breathing practices that reduce reactivity and make daily problems easier to handle.Finding the right approach is part of the work together. Michele will discuss goals, try methods that fit those goals, and adjust based on what helps. That collaborative process means methods can shift from session to session as needs and preferences become clearer.
The practical upside of online sessions is fitting therapy into busy schedules. Confirm current session options before booking, since specific formats are set at intake. Online work can make it easier to keep appointments around work or caregiving, allow quicker check-ins, and reduce travel time. Michele will help plan sessions that match the client's routine and attention level, such as shorter problem-focused meetings or longer skill-building visits.
Areas of expertise
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
20+ years
Listed in
Michigan
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does Michele often address?
She works with stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma and abuse, depression, and coping with life changes.
How does she use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?
She uses CBT to help people notice unhelpful thoughts and test different ways of responding through practical exercises and behavior changes.
What is her professional background?
She has 20 years of professional experience working in clinical settings and community care.
What credential does she hold and where is she based?
She is an LMSW (Licensed Master Social Worker) licensed in Michigan.
Which languages are supported?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can people from other countries work with her?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
How does cost and payment work?
Costs vary by location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. A license can be checked with the state board.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are not safe, use the crisis numbers.