Michelle Lesesne-De Santis

Michelle Lesesne-De Santis is a Florida-based licensed clinical social worker with 25 years of experience. She focuses on practical help for people facing low self-esteem, career challenges, motivation struggles, and major life changes. Her style is direct and compassionate, and she aims to meet people where they are.

She uses conversation tailored to each person’s needs. Sessions often focus on building confidence, clarifying goals, and developing steps to move forward. Michelle also offers executive and professional coaching to address workplace concerns and career transitions.

Her approach draws on several therapy methods to suit different problems. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy helps people accept difficult feelings while committing to meaningful action. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy breaks down thoughts and behaviors to create change. Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes a respectful, nonjudgmental relationship.

Michelle has worked with people coping with compassion fatigue, body image issues, cancer-related stress, and recovery after traumatic brain injury. She also helps with communication problems, isolation or loneliness, and finding life purpose during midlife shifts.

She aims to tailor the plan and dialogue to each person’s unique situation. Taking a first step can feel risky, and she offers steady support while you try new ways of thinking and acting.

How therapeutic approaches guide online care

Michelle often blends Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in practical ways. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people notice difficult thoughts and feelings and then choose actions that match their values. It can be useful when someone is handling major life changes or feeling stuck. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying unhelpful thinking patterns and testing new behaviors to reduce distress and improve daily functioning.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. Michelle will collaborate with each person to decide which methods fit their goals, needs, and preferences. She adjusts the plan over time based on what helps most.

Confirm the available session formats before booking, since specific options are not listed here. Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy schedule, shorten commute time, and allow brief check-ins when needed. Video can support face-to-face conversation, while audio or messaging can work better for lower bandwidth or when someone prefers not to be on camera. Licensed professionals can use these formats to keep progress steady and focused on practical steps.