Michelle Gossard , LMHC

Michelle Gossard is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) practicing from Iowa with more than 15 years of experience in both clinical and military settings. She brings a steady, practical approach to therapy and focuses on helping people who feel overwhelmed, withdrawn, or more irritable than usual, particularly when those feelings begin to affect relationships and daily functioning.

Michelle creates a supportive environment where individuals can share their stories and explore what feels out of balance. She works from the perspective that each person is the expert on their own life and helps clients identify existing strengths and skills while teaching tools to better manage thoughts, emotions, and reactions. Her work emphasizes accountability and concrete strategies so clients can address challenges like anxiety, stress, anger, low self-esteem, grief, parenting concerns, career issues, and ADHD-related difficulties.

Trained in cognitive behavioral therapy, solution-focused therapy, and client-centered techniques, Michelle tailors her approach to the needs of each person she sees. She has experience with pre- and post-deployment concerns from her time working in military settings and brings a lived understanding as a military spouse and mother of four active children. Michelle is not currently accepting new clients.

Approaches and Online Care for Practical Growth

Michelle uses client-centered therapy to create a warm, accepting space where the individual’s goals and experiences guide the work. This approach is helpful for people seeking validation, clearer self-understanding, and improved communication in relationships.

She also applies cognitive behavioral therapy, which focuses on identifying unhelpful thought patterns and building skills to manage anxiety, stress, and low self-esteem. CBT is often used for symptoms such as panic, social anxiety, and persistent negative self-talk.

Solution-focused therapy is another element of her practice and concentrates on setting achievable goals and using clients' existing strengths to create change. This method can be especially useful for clients wanting short-term, practical strategies for parenting, career decisions, or managing anger.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. Michelle works with each person to determine which methods align with their needs, goals, and preferences, and she adjusts strategies over time as progress is made.

Online therapy with Michelle includes video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, offering flexibility for busy schedules and for those living in areas with limited local options. These formats make it easier to maintain consistency in care while fitting therapy into day-to-day life.