Michelle Kelly, LMFT 119787

I understand how easy it is to get pulled into the “sticky” nature of thoughts like how overthinking, anxiety, and self-doubt can feel all-consuming. Through my own work, I’ve learned what it means to step back from the noise of the mind and relate to it differently. That shift has allowed me to experience more clarity, more intentional choices, and a deeper sense of connection in my life. It's what I hope to offer the people I work with.

I draw from three frameworks that I weave together depending on what you need.
Observing and Choosing (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) We work on creating distance from your thoughts and building a different relationship with emotions. In practicing these skills, you become more flexible in how you respond, catching yourself mid-pattern and choosing differently.
Making sense of your story (Family Systems) You didn't get here randomly. The patterns you repeat make sense within the context of the systems that shaped you. Understanding how you got here is what gives you the power to change.
How you connect (Attachment) How you learned to seek closeness, protect yourself, and feel safe influences everything: your relationship with yourself, your partner, and how much you let yourself be truly seen.
I began my clinical work in treatment centers supporting women with substance use and eating disorders, which gave me a deep respect for how hard change really is and how possible it is. I now practice as part of the Ludington Institute for Family Enrichment, with additional training in postpartum mental health. I also speak at schools, treatment centers, and workplaces on resilience and coping.
You'll find me reading, crafting, dreaming about my next creative endeavor, or recharging in nature with my family, especially near the ocean, sunrise skies, and tall trees.

My Values:

Real: I show up authentically for myself and for my clients. I prioritize safety, trust, and choice, and I believe that meaningful change happens through genuine connection.

Reflective: My approach is thoughtful, present, and emotionally attuned. I believe you already hold the answers you need, and my role is the privilege of helping you uncover or remember them.

Liberating: Therapy is a path to self-empowerment. It’s about unlearning old patterns, embracing your freedom, and living a life that feels fully your own.