Therapy for Highly Sensitive People

You don’t need to navigate the world alone, constantly wondering if you’re making progress.

Therapy that is compassionate and is understanding of your sensitive nature can get you on track toward living the healthy, fulfilling life that you deserve to live.

Sessions I offer…

  • Intake and Assessment Session — 60-90 minutes | $250

    • This includes any contact and paperwork involved leading up to the initial session.

    • During this intake I collect a detailed psychosocial history and assessment to aid in determining a diagnosis and an initial plan for therapy.

  • Individual Psychotherapy (pre-teen through senior) Session — 53-60 minutes | $180

  • Family session or parent session in support of pre-teen/teens therapy — 60-90 minutes | $190

  • Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy intake and Assessment — 60-90 minutes | $300

  • Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy individual sessions — 53-60 minutes | $200

Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) Therapy is a form of cognitive behavioral therapy and is used to treat Obsessive Compulsive Disorder as well as phobias and intense anxiety. It is a very structured form of therapy and requires a specific psychoeducational process followed by tailored exercises and worksheets which promote the goals of the treatment. This is a more involved and detailed intake process to be sure the client is getting the best personalized set of exposures for their issue.

A general (non ERP) intake and assessment session consists of a number of elements, including, but not limited to:

  • gathering information about family history

  • discussing “likes and dislikes” in therapy sessions

  • exploring the reasons for seeking help

In addition, we will discuss goals for our work together in session and individual goals outside of session.

My Philosophy as a Psychotherapist

As a therapist, I don’t look at my work with clients through a lens of sickness or a mental health diagnosis. We don't always fit into these diagnosis boxes, and humans are defined by much more than a single diagnosis. Therapy is a collaborative process where we have an ongoing conversation about you which leads us to identify your strengths and helps you get to know your unique self. My role is to validate your distinct place in this world so you can develop trust in yourself as you move through the process of growth and change.

Support for HSP Women in Perimenopause

In addition to my regular psychotherapy sessions, I also offer specialized support for women who are starting the journey through perimenopause. Together, we’ll embrace your sensitivity and use it as a guide to navigate the unique challenges we face during midlife hormonal changes. You’ll receive compassionate support from a therapist who gets it and who wants you to thrive in this phase of life.

A Note About Payment & Insurance

  • I am in-network with CIGNA/Evernorth insurance and also accept self-pay clients.

  • After you have paid for your session(s), I can give you a superbill to submit to your insurance and get reimbursed by out-of-network benefits.

  • One additional option:

    • I am signed up with Mentaya which is a company that submits all of your bills and gets them reimbursed for you — the charge for this service is 5% of the bill.

Kind Words

  • “My experience with Michele has been life changing. Through our sessions I've gained an appreciation for self-love along with a new outlook on life. It's difficult to summarize the amazing transformation I have gone through since working with Michele. I will continue to recommend her to all who seek therapy."

    —Individual & group client from 2012 - 2020

  • “Michele is a gift! Always addressing my feelings and thoughts in a non-judgemental way, her professional counsel and conduct are exemplar. I trust her implicitly and value our rapport. Thank you, Michele, for your caring, support, and patience."

    —Individual client since 2013

  • “Michele is an intuitive and thoughtful therapist. She has the ability to be deeply present and connected when she works with clients and also knows when to provide feedback and when to be a validating and listening ear."

    —Heather Wilke, LPC, LCADC

  • “Michele is nurturing, intuitive, and deeply empathetic. From your first interactions, she puts you at ease. You feel her sincerity and her calling to this work. She validates your lived experience while simultaneously encouraging you to see where change is possible."

    —Vanessa Lambrix, LPC, LMHC

Frequently Asked Questions

  • I am a therapist who views our work together as a collaboration. In the first few sessions, I will have to ask many questions to get to know you. From there the sessions will start with what you would prefer to discuss that day. I provide a great deal of feedback and prompts during the session to allow for progress and growth. We will make goals together and have check-ins at different stages of therapy to be sure we are working toward your goals.

  • I offer both telehealth sessions or in-person sessions in my office in Midland Park. I only offer in-person sessions on Tuesdays, Thursdays, or Fridays currently. I prefer to meet with you for the first time in person to build better rapport but from there we can meet in whichever way is most convenient for you.

  • I accept Cigna/Evernorth insurance but I am out of network with all other insurances.

    For any other insurance besides Cigna/Evernorth I work with a company called Mentaya and they can help you understand your out of network benefits and submit all of your paperwork and bills for you. They will make sure that you receive your full out of network benefits. They do take 5% of the bill. If you prefer to submit your insurance yourself I will provide you with a superbill via email and you can send that in at your convenience.

  • You will receive a copy of my policies to read over and sign before therapy begins. In this document it states that every client gets one missed or late canceled appointment per calendar year without a fee. Any no shows or late cancels beyond that are charged the FULL FEE for the session as the time was saved for you. In the case of an emergency the late cancellation fee does not apply.

  • Absolutely not. I enjoy working with clients from all backgrounds and walks of life. My highly sensitive nature makes me a great therapist for those who appreciate working with their nervous system and feeling understood in the ways that are highly sensitive people's superpower. If you think we would be a good fit, reach out to schedule a consultation.

  • I work with adolescents, adults, and seniors and all genders. I work with non-HSP people and I do not only focus on perimenopause. My other specialties include grief, anxiety, depression, ADHD, parenting, self-esteem, and OCD.

  • I utilize various therapeutic modalities depending on the specific issues you bring. My most used modalities are psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral, exposure and response prevention, and humanistic strengths-based approaches. I always tailor the treatment to each individual's needs.

  • It is most beneficial to begin the therapeutic process meeting every week as we build the foundation of the work. Over time and as progress is made you can decide to step down to every other week and then once a month. Many of my clients have been with me for up to 15 years but are on an ‘as needed basis’ and come in for “tune-ups” when necessary.

  • Yes, I abide by all HIPAA regulations and standards as well as the Social Work Code of Ethics. Sessions are completely confidential unless I perceive you as a danger to yourself or to someone else in which case I have to alert the proper authorities.

Are you ready to come home to your sensitive self?

Fill out the form below to explore how we might work best together.

I’ll be in touch to schedule a free 15-minutes consultation call within 2 business days.