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Discover how starting obsessive-compulsive disorder therapy (ocdt) therapy can support your own journey toward a happier, more fulfilling life.
2 therapists available in Birmingham
I am an honest and caring counselor and want to create a safe and real place for clients to explore, discover, try, fail, change, ...
About
I am an honest and caring counselor and want to create a safe and real place for clients to explore, discover, try, fail, change, and heal.
Michelle Essary is a Licensed Professional Counselor with 15 years of experience specializing in how the body, brain, and mind all work together. She takes whole-person approach to therapy and works with individuals ages 14 and over, couples, and groups. She specializes in relationship issues, cross-cultural transition, life transition, anxiety, grief, and depression. She also works with those dealing with ADHD, PTSD, peak performance, or navigating neurodivergence.
Michelle has a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Denver Seminary. She is certified in neurofeedback and uses several therapeutic modalities to assist her clients, such as existential therapy, family systems, and cognitive behavioral therapy.
Michelle is eager to work with those who believe they are ready for change and wants to join with clients to identify what is not working, the source of their discomfort, and help set them up for and walk with them into successful healing, change, and overall health.
Education and training
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As someone whose life was changed by a therapist during my teenage years and who proudly identifies as a member of the LGBTQ+ comm...
As someone whose life was changed by a therapist during my teenage years and who proudly identifies as a member of the LGBTQ+ community, I am committed to offering others the same life-affirming support and understanding.
I am a licensed independent clinical social worker (LICSW) with 11 years of experience in the mental health field. I specialize in helping adolescents and adults navigate depression, anxiety, trauma, and life transitions. My passion for this work began after a therapist supported me during a difficult time in my teenage years, and I have dedicated my career to offering that same hope and healing to others.
I earned my Master of Social Work from Alabama A&M University. My approach includes cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, motivational interviewing, and person-centered therapy. I am trained in EMDR and use it to help clients process trauma and other distressing experiences.
I work best with clients who are open to growth and ready to explore change in a supportive space. Whether you are seeking relief, clarity, or transformation, I will meet you where you are and help you build the tools needed to improve your overall well-being.
You deserve dedicated time with a mental health professional — it can be life-changing.
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OCD counseling is a specialized therapeutic approach aimed at supporting individuals coping with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The goal of this counseling is to help clients manage and alleviate the distressing symptoms of OCD by systematically addressing their obsessive thought patterns and compulsive behaviors.
In OCD counseling, Thriveworks Birmingham therapists use cognitive behavioral techniques, including exposure and response prevention, to assist you in addressing and managing your obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors. An OCD therapist will collaborate with you to identify and modify irrational thought patterns while gradually and gently exposing you to anxiety-triggering situations, helping to disrupt the cycle of obsessive-compulsive rituals and promote healthier coping strategies.
Thriveworks OCD counseling in Birmingham, AL is conducted both in person and online by video. We encourage you to choose the option that works best for you.
The number of sessions for OCD counseling is variable, contingent upon the individual’s unique needs, the severity of their condition, and their progress during treatment. Typically, Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), commonly used for OCD, comprises around 12 to 16 weekly sessions, but the exact session count can be customized based on the individual’s response to treatment and therapeutic objectives. Some opt for a more extended duration to comprehensively manage symptoms and address complex issues.
Includes individual, couples, child/ teen, & family therapy
Includes reducing symptoms with medication & management
Thriveworks Counseling & Therapy Birmingham is located at 400 Office Park Dr Suite 308, Birmingham, AL 35233, off of US Hwy 280.
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