Marisela Cuellar-VanHouten, LMSW

Marisela Cuellar-VanHouten is a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) based in Michigan who helps people facing trauma, depression, anxiety, caregiving stress, and age-related concerns. She works with people coping with bipolar disorder, grief, relationship and intimacy issues, sleep problems, anger, and low self-esteem. She also supports those dealing with chronic illness, chronic pain, and the burnout that comes from caregiving.

Her style is warm and direct. Conversations and practical goals guide the work. She adapts the pace and techniques to each person's needs rather than using a one-size-fits-all plan. She describes herself as an LGBTQ+ ally and pays attention to cultural background when shaping treatment.

Marisela uses a mix of well-known methods to help people make small, steady changes. She draws from cognitive behavioral ideas to notice unhelpful thoughts and from mindfulness-based practices to build calm focus. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy ideas are used to clarify values and commit to workable steps forward.

She has ten years of experience providing individual therapy and a broader thirty-year professional background in helping people in related roles. She aims to help clients build confidence and find realistic ways to manage day-to-day stress and symptoms. The work often includes setting short goals, practicing new coping skills, and measuring progress together.

If you are carrying the weight of caregiving, age-related transitions, trauma, or mood challenges, she offers steady support and practical tools to navigate those issues.

How therapy approaches guide online sessions

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy helps people clarify what matters to them and take small steps toward those values, even when painful thoughts or feelings are present. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy focuses on noticing unhelpful thinking and trying practical new behaviors to reduce symptoms and improve daily functioning. Mindfulness Therapy teaches simple attention and breathing practices that can reduce stress and improve emotional awareness.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will collaborate with each person to choose methods that match their goals, needs, and preferences. That might mean mixing techniques from different models and adjusting the pace as things change.

Session formats are not listed in the biography, so please confirm current options before booking. Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy life, such as shorter check-ins during a work break or avoiding travel time. It can also help people use practical exercises at home between meetings, build routines around therapy tasks, and keep momentum between sessions. Licensed professionals can help tailor scheduling and approaches to what works best for each person.