Michele Lewis, LCSW, LISW
About me
I'm Michele and I am excited you are taking steps to feel better about yourself and are interested to learn more about me. I'm a licensed clinical social worker in Missouri and Iowa, and a qualified mental health professional. I am a certified clinical tele-mental health provider and a certified clinical trauma professional and grief professional. I've been a therapist for more than 25 years and I absolutely love what I do.
I help young people learn to live authentically in spite of experiencing trauma in their past and help them express their true inner self. I counsel adult children who care for their aging parents to cope with caregiver stress and work through grief and loss as they witness the change in their parent's mobility and cognition. With my years working in geriatrics, I help aging adults process feelings about aging gracefully. My certification and experience working with grief and loss lends my ability to help people of all ages work through the deep impact of sadness, emptiness, and stress from losing a loved one or going through an upsetting life change.
My therapy approach is synergistic, warm and accepting. Therapy in my practice is a place of no judgment. It's a place of self-discovery. It's a place of speaking your mind feely, sharing your true thoughts and feelings that maybe you've been hesitant to say aloud before. It's a place of trying new things and thinking about solutions in new ways. In therapy, you get to explore what is holding you back or causing unhappiness at work or in your relationships. As you become more comfortable talking to me and exploring your inner self, you get to build skills and strategies that allow you the freedom to express who you are to those in your life. You discover how to build authentic connections with friends and family. You learn to use strategies to shrink depression and anxiety and become confident in the person you are and who you really want to be.
I utilize a variety of techniques, such as, cognitive behavioral therapy, positive psychology theory, stress management with mindfulness, empowerment work, mind / body / spirit connection to increase emotional expression and wellness, mood management, anxiety reduction, and finding your path to work / life balance.
I have a Master's Degree in Social Work from the University of Kansas, in Lawrence, KS with a concentration in mental health. I have a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from William Jewell College in Liberty MO.
I am excited to begin our work together!
Professional experience
Additional areas of focus: Stress, Anxiety, LGBT, Career difficulties, Coaching, Compassion fatigue, Aging and geriatric issues, Caregiver issues and stress, Chronic pain, illness, and disability, Codependency, Commitment issues, Communication problems, Divorce and separation, Domestic violence, Emptiness, Family of origin issues, Forgiveness, Guilt and shame, Hospice and end-of-life counseling, Intellectual disability, Isolation / loneliness, Life purpose, Midlife crisis, Money and financial issues, Post-traumatic stress, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), Self-love, Sexual assault and abuse, Women's issues
Clinical approaches: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT), Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Narrative Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy
License information
MO LCSW 2001009328
IA LISW 118059
Reviews
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Michele Lewis. We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with BetterHelp might be different.
My first visit with Michele Lewis went very well. This was the first time seeking therapy and Michele made me feel comfortable immediately.
Written on Sep 17, 2024 after therapy with Michele for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, family conflicts, and sleeping disorders
I love Michele! She is such a wonderful therapist. I always feel so refreshed after our sessions. She is so kind, understanding, knowledgeable, and patient. I definitely recommend her as a therapist!
Written on Aug 03, 2024 after therapy with Michele for 2 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, self esteem, career difficulties, coping with life changes, compassion fatigue, and adhd
Michele is extremely attentive and helpful
Written on Jan 09, 2024 after therapy with Michele for 3 weeks on issues concerning depression, grief, self esteem, and coping with life changes
Excellent
Written on Jan 02, 2024 after therapy with Michele for 2 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, grief, intimacy-related issues, parenting issues, self esteem, career difficulties, coping with life changes, and compassion fatigue
I appreciate Michele’s expertise as a therapist. She is helping bring old hurts to the surface to which I’m able to let go. Her recommended reading materials are spot on. I feel comfortable and safe speaking with Michele. BetterHelp lined up my needs with the right therapist and I and becoming a better me!
Written on Jul 23, 2023 after therapy with Michele for 2 weeks on issues concerning addictions, eating disorders, sleeping disorders, and compassion fatigue
I appreciate most about Michele is her kindness and wisdom which I can sense every time she provides advice and feedback.
Written on Jul 18, 2023 after therapy with Michele for 1 month on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, grief, sleeping disorders, self esteem, and career difficulties