Michelle Upton, LICSW

Michelle Upton, LICSW, helps people manage stress, anxiety, grief, and major life shifts. She supports those facing relationship strain, caregiving challenges, addiction concerns, and the emotional impact of aging and geriatric issues. Her tone is steady and practical, aimed at people who need clear steps and calm listening.

Michelle keeps the work straightforward. She starts by asking what matters most to the person in front of her. Sessions focus on building everyday skills, clarifying values, and finding manageable ways to cope. She blends conversational listening with hands-on tools so clients leave with things to try between meetings.

Her background spans community and clinical settings in Massachusetts, and she brings eight years of practice as a licensed clinical social worker. Michelle often coordinates with medical teams and caregivers when that helps address complex needs. She names a mix of approaches and uses whatever fits a person's goals rather than sticking to a single method.

In session she commonly draws from client-centered work, cognitive behavioral ideas, and mindfulness skills to reduce distress and improve daily functioning. She also uses elements of dialectical behavior therapy and narrative practices when they fit the situation. The goal is a practical plan that fits each person’s life.

People who meet with Michelle can expect a calm, kind presence and a focus on small, realistic steps toward balance. To start, she asks people about their priorities and builds from there with respect for individual pace and limits.

Approaches that guide online work

Michelle frequently draws on client-centered therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy to structure sessions. Client-centered work focuses on listening, reflecting what matters to the person, and building a trusting working relationship. Cognitive behavioral therapy looks at patterns of thinking and behavior and teaches concrete skills to reduce anxiety, lift mood, and change unhelpful habits.

She also uses elements of dialectical behavior therapy when people need skills for strong emotions and better emotional regulation. DBT-based techniques emphasize practical tools for distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and clearer communication in stressful moments.

Finding the right approach is a shared process. The therapist will talk with the person about goals, preferences, and what has or hasn’t helped before. Together they decide whether to focus on skill-building, values work, or story-focused methods, and they adjust as progress unfolds.

If you are considering online sessions, confirm the specific session options before booking so you know what formats are available. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy day, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and reduce travel time. Licensed professionals can adapt the same practical tools used in person to an online setting to help with stress, caregiving strain, aging-related concerns, and relationship challenges.