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LPC

Michelle Lakefield, LPC

  • Experience20 years
  • LocationNew Jersey
  • Focus areasStress and Anxiety, Relationship, and Family
  • Therapy approachesInternal Family Systems and Client-Centered Therapy
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About Michelle

Michelle Lakefield is a licensed professional counselor in New Jersey with more than 20 years of clinical experience supporting people facing stress, anxiety, grief, depression, relationship difficulties, trauma, and a wide range of other concerns.

Background and approach

She emphasizes creating an open, nonjudgmental space where clients can name difficult feelings and explore how those feelings influence thoughts and behavior. Her work addresses issues such as self-esteem, parenting challenges, ADHD, eating concerns, compassion fatigue, and intimacy-related struggles, along with many family and communication problems.

Michelle uses a mix of well-established therapeutic methods, including Internal Family Systems, client-centered work, cognitive behavioral techniques, and solution-focused strategies to tailor sessions to each person's needs. She encourages courage in taking the first step and partners with clients to set collaborative goals and practical steps for change.

Available to international clients, she practices in English and offers flexible formats to meet different schedules and preferences.

Approach-Focused Online Therapy and Practical Support

Michelle often combines Internal Family Systems and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to address emotional and behavioral patterns. Internal Family Systems helps people notice and dialogue with different internal parts to reduce inner conflict and increase self-understanding, which can be useful for trauma, anxiety, and identity-related concerns. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy focuses on identifying unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns and teaching concrete skills to change them, which often helps with depression, anxiety, and stress management.

Choosing the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and she works collaboratively with clients to determine which methods best match their goals, needs, and preferences. Clients can expect an exploratory start where options are discussed and a tailored plan is developed that may draw on more than one modality.

Online work is offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to provide flexibility and accessibility for different lifestyles and time zones. These formats make it easier to maintain continuity of care, fit sessions into busy schedules, and access support from wherever the client is located.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of problems does she commonly help with?
She works with a broad set of concerns including stress, anxiety, relationship and family issues, grief, trauma and abuse, depression, self-esteem, ADHD, and compassion fatigue among others.
What is her therapeutic style like?
Her approach is collaborative and nonjudgmental, blending client-centered support with practical techniques to explore feelings, build insight, and create achievable steps forward.
How much clinical experience does she bring?
She has more than 20 years of professional experience working with people across a wide range of emotional and relational concerns.
What credentials and location are listed for her practice?
She is an LPC licensed in New Jersey with license number NJ LPC 37PC00374100 and practices from that state.
Can people who live outside the United States work with her?
Yes, she accepts international clients and conducts sessions in English for those who are outside the country.
In what formats are sessions offered?
Sessions are available by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to accommodate different needs and schedules.
How are fees and billing handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions are provided through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What are the first steps to begin working together?
To start, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule sessions based on the therapist's availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesFamily conflictsGriefAnger management

Also works with

LGBTTrauma and abuseIntimacy-related issuesEating disordersParenting issuesSelf esteemBipolar disorderDepressionCoping with life changesCompassion fatigueADHD

Additional focus areas

Autism and Asperger SyndromeBlended family issuesCaregiver issues and stressCo-morbidityCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesDivorce and separationDomestic violenceEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFatherhood issuesForgivenessInfidelityIntellectual disabilityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPostpartum depressionPregnancy and childbirthSelf-harmSocial anxiety and phobiaWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Solution-Focused TherapyInternal Family Systems

Experience

20+ years

Licensed

New Jersey

Languages

English