Profile / United States
Michelle Lesesne-De Santis, LCSW
Florida
LCSW - self esteem and career support
See online therapy options- CBT methods
- Career coaching
- Mindfulness practices
About Michelle
Michelle Lesesne-De Santis is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Florida with 25 years of experience helping people with motivation, self esteem, career concerns, and coping with life changes. She focuses on practical steps clients can take to regain confidence and move forward. Sessions are presented in plain language and aim to identify what gets in the way of goals.
Her approach combines Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and client-centered techniques. She uses these methods to help people notice unhelpful thoughts, try different reactions, and practice new behaviors. Mindfulness and narrative work are included when they fit the client's needs.
Michelle has worked across settings that inform her coaching for executives and professionals. That background shapes how she helps people sort career choices, set realistic goals, and manage work-related strain. She also supports those dealing with compassion fatigue and midlife transitions.
Practical skills are emphasized in sessions. That can mean setting small experiments between meetings, practicing different ways of responding to criticism, or reorganizing priorities to reduce overwhelm. The therapist and client track what changes help most and adjust plans over time.
She also addresses concerns such as body image, self-love, communication problems, and recovery after illness or injury. For people facing isolation, life-purpose questions, or forgiveness issues, sessions focus on clear steps and behavioral practice.
Michelle offers work grounded in straightforward methods and years of experience. Prospective clients should confirm current session formats and scheduling details before booking.
How CBT and ACT are used in online sessions
Michelle commonly uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy alongside client-centered techniques. CBT focuses on spotting thought patterns and testing alternative actions to see what helps reduce distress or improve performance. ACT works on noticing internal experiences while choosing behaviors that align with personal values, which can help with decisions and motivation.Client-centered work emphasizes listening and reflecting so clients can clarify goals and priorities. Together these approaches aim to produce clear, workable steps the client can try between meetings. The therapist treats choosing the right approach as a collaborative task and will discuss options based on the client's goals and preferences.
Session formats are not listed in the biography, so confirm current online session options before booking. Practical benefits of online sessions include fitting meetings into a busy workday, having shorter check-ins when needed, and choosing times that reduce travel. Online meetings can also make it easier to involve brief coaching-style work focused on career planning or behavior experiments without rearranging an entire day.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
25+ years
Listed in
Florida
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she commonly address?
She helps with self esteem, career difficulties, coping with life changes, coaching, and compassion fatigue, plus related areas like body image and communication problems.
How does she use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?
She uses CBT to identify unhelpful thoughts and test new behaviors. Sessions often include small experiments and practical exercises between meetings.
What is her professional background?
She has 25 years of professional experience working in roles that inform executive and professional coaching as well as clinical support.
What credential does she hold and where is she based?
She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) licensed in Florida and practices from that state.
Which languages are offered for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can people outside the United States work with her?
She is not currently accepting international clients.
How are sessions paid for?
Cost varies with location; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin the process?
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.