Michelle Goodwater, LMHC

Michelle Goodwater is a licensed mental health counselor (LMHC) practicing in Washington. She brings seven years of clinical experience to sessions and focuses on practical tools that help people manage anxiety, stress, depression, grief, and relationship or intimacy-related concerns.

Her style is warm and interactive. She treats people with respect and aims to avoid stigmatizing labels. Sessions are conversational and tailored to each person’s needs rather than following a rigid script.

Michelle uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) alongside Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), EMDR, and client-centered techniques. That mix lets her match methods to the concern at hand, whether a person is working through trauma, coping with life changes, or rebuilding self-esteem.

In practical terms she helps people notice unhelpful thinking, try small behavior changes, and learn skills for managing intense emotions and setbacks. For trauma-related work she incorporates approaches designed to reduce distress and improve everyday functioning.

People also come for coaching around career and coping with chronic stress or compassion fatigue. Michelle pays attention to family of origin issues, communication patterns, and problems like codependency or control struggles when those themes come up in sessions.

If someone is ready to begin, Michelle supports goal setting and step-by-step planning so progress is clear and manageable.

How CBT, ACT, and EMDR work online

Michelle uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help people notice unhelpful thoughts and try small behavior changes that improve day-to-day functioning. CBT is useful for anxiety, depression, sleep issues, and stress-related problems.

She also uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help people clarify values, accept difficult feelings without getting stuck in them, and take meaningful action toward long-term goals. EMDR is used when trauma memories cause ongoing distress and the goal is to reduce the intensity of those memories and improve daily coping.

Choosing an approach is collaborative. Michelle starts by listening to what matters most to the person and then suggests methods to try. She checks in and adjusts the plan as goals evolve so the work fits the client's needs and preferences.

Online sessions are offered by video calls, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging to make scheduling easier. Video calls are good for face-to-face conversation and skill practice. Phone sessions work well when bandwidth is limited or a shorter check-in is needed. Live chat or messaging can be useful for brief updates, homework review, or ongoing support between longer sessions. These options make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life while still accessing licensed professionals and consistent care.