Marisela Cuellar-VanHouten , LMSW

Marisela Cuellar-VanHouten, LMSW (Licensed Master Social Worker), is a Michigan-licensed therapist with 10 years of experience providing individual therapy. She works with people facing trauma and abuse, motivation and self-esteem concerns, bipolar disorder, chronic illness and pain, caregiver burnout, dementia, and depression, tailoring conversations and treatment plans to each person's circumstances and goals.

Marisela approaches treatment with respect, sensitivity, and compassion, and she affirms LGBTQ+ identities while attending to how culture shapes a person's experience and healing. Her practice emphasizes support and empowerment, helping clients identify strengths, build coping skills, and take steps toward a more fulfilling life.

She adapts therapeutic dialogue to meet unique needs and collaborates with clients to create realistic, individualized plans. Seeking change requires courage, and Marisela aims to provide steady encouragement and practical guidance as clients move toward their goals.

Evidence-Informed Approaches and Online Access

Marisela uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help clients clarify personal values and build psychological flexibility - ACT supports people who are struggling with painful thoughts or life changes by focusing on meaningful action alongside acceptance. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is another common tool in her practice; it examines unhelpful thought patterns and teaches practical skills to manage depression, anxiety, and stress by changing thinking and behavior. Mindfulness-based techniques are woven into sessions to help clients increase present-moment awareness and reduce reactivity, which can be especially useful for emotional regulation and coping with chronic stress.

Finding the right approach is part of therapy itself. Marisela collaborates with each person to determine which methods align with their goals, needs, and preferences, adjusting strategies as progress unfolds. This collaborative process helps ensure care feels relevant and effective.

Online therapy offers flexible ways to engage with licensed professionals. Marisela can meet via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, making it easier to fit therapy into busy schedules, manage mobility or caregiving constraints, and maintain continuity of care despite life transitions.