Profile / United States
Michelle Upton, LICSW
Massachusetts
LICSW - Stress and Relationship concerns
See online therapy options- CBT methods
- DBT skills
- Mindfulness practice
About Michelle
Michelle Upton is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) in Massachusetts with eight years of clinical experience. She helps people handle stress, anxiety, depression, relationship and intimacy concerns, grief, low self-esteem, and life changes. She also supports people facing addiction, caregiver strain, career pressure, compassion fatigue, and parenting-related stress.
Michelle uses practical, talk-based work to identify patterns that keep problems going. She helps people notice unhelpful thoughts and habits. From there she and the client try small, doable changes and review what works. Sessions are focused and concrete rather than abstract theory.
Her approach blends several methods to suit each person's needs. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is one of the approaches she uses to map the links between thoughts, feelings, and actions. She also draws on client-centered ideas to keep sessions grounded in what matters most to the person in front of her.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills and mindfulness techniques show up when people need help with emotion regulation, distress tolerance, or staying present during strong feelings. Existential and narrative strands are added when questions about meaning, identity, or life roles become central.
Michelle favors clear goals and measurable steps. She works collaboratively to set priorities, track progress, and adjust plans as needed. The emphasis is on what someone can try between sessions to make everyday life feel more manageable.
How her approaches work over video or phone
Michelle commonly uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people spot unhelpful thoughts and test new behaviors. CBT sessions break problems into concrete steps and assign practical exercises to try between meetings.She also uses client-centered methods that keep the conversation focused on what the person cares about. That approach supports clear goal-setting and collaborative problem solving. When emotion regulation is a concern, Dialectical Behavior Therapy techniques and simple mindfulness tools help with stress tolerance and staying regulated.
Finding the right mix of methods is part of the work. Michelle will discuss goals, preferences, and what feels most useful, then adapt the plan. Clients review progress and adjust techniques together as needed.
The practical benefit of remote sessions is fitting therapy into a busy life. Confirm the available session formats before booking, since the listing does not specify formats here. Online meetings can shorten commute time, allow shorter check-ins during a work break, and make it easier to keep appointments on a tight schedule.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
8+ years
Listed in
Massachusetts
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What issues does she commonly address?
She works with stress, anxiety, depression, grief, relationship and intimacy concerns, self-esteem, addictions, caregiver strain, career worries, and parenting-related stress.
How does she approach therapy?
She uses practical, talk-based work that looks at thoughts, feelings, and behavior. Sessions focus on noticing patterns and trying small, concrete changes.
What is her clinical background?
She has eight years of experience working in clinical settings with individuals and families, helping people through major life changes and health-related coordination.
What credential does she hold and where is she based?
She is an MA LICSW and practices in Massachusetts.
Which languages are supported?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can people outside the U.S. work with her?
International clients are not currently accepted.
How are sessions billed?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What do I need to do to begin?
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.