Michelle Wirth Fellman, MA, LPC She/Her
Adolescents 16+, College, Young Adult, Adults, New Moms, Parents
Stressful Life Transitions, Troublesome Childhoods, Women’s Issues, Career Changes, Relationship Stress, Parenting, Self-Esteem, Anxiety, Depression, Trauma
Hello, I am Michelle! I am passionate about supporting late adolescents through adults of all ages by cultivating self-expression and healing in the wake of stressful life changes. I draw heavily from my life experience. As a parent, certified expressive writing group facilitator, a woman in midlife, and former professional writer, I bring to each session open-mindedness, curiosity, empathy, and insight. I believe everyone has a unique story that needs to be heard.
A Los Angeles native, I moved to the Chicago area as a young adult to attend journalism school at Northwestern University. I am a life learner and in midlife completed graduate programs in psychology, clinical mental health counseling, as well as a certification in expressive writing. My family and I have lived on Chicago’s North Shore for nearly two decades, where my three children attended public schools.
My Approach
I strive to offer self-expression and healing opportunities suited for you, whether it be through journaling, mindfulness exercises, or talk therapy. My eclectic toolkit draws from aspects of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Somatic, Person-Centered, and Narrative therapies, and my integrative approach continues to evolve as I expand my knowledge base. I also rely on my life wisdom. My personal journey with therapy has helped me overcome obstacles as a survivor of childhood trauma and as an adult facing challenging life transitions. My therapeutic experiences in counseling and writing inspire me to help you work on your own struggles, whether they center on low self-esteem, relationship stress, life transitions, troublesome childhoods, women’s issues, career changes, parenting, anxiety, depression, or trauma.
Life Stressors: College-Age/Young Adults, Adults of Any Age, Parents
I am no stranger to life’s stressors, whether it be a move, relationship conflicts, or death of a loved one. Throughout my life I have sought therapy during challenging periods to help me express, process, and cope with difficult emotions. As a therapist, I want to do what I can to ensure nobody feels alone or unsupported.
As a parent, I have experienced how stressful situations can affect children, parents, and family dynamics. I have seen my own high school through post-college-age children through such life transitions as preparing for college and leaving home. Relocating to new cities with three children as a young parent showed me the importance of learning coping skills to cultivate new relationships, and find and access resources to acclimate the family.
With this in mind, I prioritize feeling safe, supported, and heard during difficult times as an essential foundation for change and stress reduction. My goal is to join you in your journey to make effective changes. This may involve collaborating on boundary-setting, goal-setting, self-esteem, communication, exploring thought and/or relationship patterns, determining triggers, and cultivating new coping skills.
Groups
I love groups! My group facilitation experience includes leading expressive writing workshops for women, teens, and older adults, and co-leading self-care and holistic emotional healing support groups for adults during my work at a local community mental health agency. I have seen how groups can connect and empower; reduce feelings of loneliness, isolation, and distress; improve skills; and provide a sense of hope.
For Fun…
In my personal time, I enjoy walking my dog Nellie, journaling, and visits to the lake as often as possible.