Michele Petersmark, LCPC

Approaches that translate well to online therapy

Client-centered therapy focuses on listening and working from the client’s goals. It emphasizes respect, empathy, and tailoring the conversation to what feels most important. This approach helps when someone needs a steady, nonjudgmental space to sort through anxiety or life transitions.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, looks at the link between thoughts, feelings, and actions. Michele uses CBT techniques to identify unhelpful thinking patterns and practice new behaviors that reduce anxiety and panic. These exercises can be done during video or phone sessions and reinforced between meetings.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy skills teach concrete tools for managing strong emotions and improving relationships. Mindfulness elements help people become aware of stress and respond more calmly. Both approaches work well in short check-ins over text or live chat, or in longer video sessions for skills practice.

Michele treats finding the right approach as a shared process. She will discuss goals and preferences in early sessions and adjust methods based on what feels most useful. That collaboration helps shape a plan that fits the client’s life and needs.

Online formats give practical flexibility. Video calls allow face-to-face conversation and skills demonstrations. Phone sessions can fit into a work break or require less bandwidth. Live chat and text-based messaging make brief check-ins and skill reinforcement easier between appointments. These options help people keep therapy consistent around busy schedules.