Michelle Varady , LCSW

Michelle Varady is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) practicing in California with 10 years of clinical experience. She works with adults facing stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma and abuse, low self-esteem, depression, grief, sleep difficulties, bipolar disorder, ADHD, and challenges tied to major life changes. Her practice also addresses related concerns such as codependency, communication problems, impulsivity, and substance use issues.

Michelle blends evidence-based methods to meet each person where they are. She draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Mindfulness Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, and Somatic Therapy to teach practical skills for managing daily symptoms while supporting deeper, longer-term growth. As an LCSW, she emphasizes collaboration, helping clients identify strengths and build strategies that fit their values and goals.

Michelle offers a supportive, respectful approach that honors the individual story of each person. She aims to empower people to make meaningful changes and to develop tools for navigating difficult emotions and life transitions. Michelle is accepting new clients, including international clients, and provides sessions through video calls, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care

Michelle Varady uses several evidence-based approaches that translate well to virtual work. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, focuses on the links between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and offers practical strategies to reduce symptoms like anxiety and low mood. Dialectical Behavior Therapy, or DBT, emphasizes emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness to help people manage intense emotions and improve relationships. Somatic Therapy attends to the body-mind connection, helping clients notice physical sensations and learn grounding practices that can ease stress and support recovery from trauma.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Michelle works collaboratively with each person to identify which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences, adjusting the plan as progress is made and circumstances change.

Online sessions via video calls, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging make therapy more flexible and accessible, allowing scheduling around work and family obligations and supporting clients who live far from her office. These options let licensed professionals and therapists deliver consistent care while accommodating different communication styles and daily rhythms.