Michelle Goodwater, LMHC

Washington | Online sessions in Washington | English | Book with Michelle »

Caring counselor who centers your story

Details

Name	Michelle Goodwater
Credentials	LMHC
Based in	Washington
Licensed in	Washington
Session format	Online
Languages	English
Years in practice	7

About Michelle

Michelle Goodwater is a licensed mental health counselor in Washington with seven years of clinical experience. She brings a warm, interactive style to sessions and focuses on helping people cope with stress, anxiety, depression, grief, relationship and intimacy concerns, and career strain. Michelle emphasizes respect, compassion, and practical dialogue when people reach out for change.

Her practice draws on Narrative Therapy alongside acceptance-based and cognitive approaches. That means she helps people tell their story, notice patterns, and choose which parts of the story to emphasize going forward.

Background and approach

She also uses skills from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to address unhelpful thoughts and build values-based action. Sessions are collaborative and shaped around each person's goals. Michelle listens for family of origin issues, attachment themes, and communication problems that show up in everyday life.

She works with people facing grief, fertility or cancer concerns, codependency, control issues, shame, and burnout or compassion fatigue. Therapy may include learning new coping skills, practicing emotion regulation strategies from dialectical approaches, and reorganizing personal narratives to reduce distress. Michelle helps people manage sleep problems, anger, and the practical fallout of life transitions.

She frames work in simple language and focuses on steps that fit daily life. People who choose Michelle can expect straightforward conversations and goals you both agree on. She encourages small, steady changes and checks in on what is working.

The aim is clearer direction, less overwhelm, and better ways to handle challenging moments.

What this therapist works with

Her listing names Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Grief among the things Michelle works with, alongside the areas below.

Approaches listed

Narrative Therapy: Named in her listing among her approaches.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): Listed by Michelle among the ways she works.
Client-Centered Therapy: Listed by Michelle among the ways she works.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Listed by Michelle among the ways she works.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): Listed by Michelle among the ways she works.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR): Listed by Michelle among the ways she works.
Mindfulness Therapy: Listed by Michelle among the ways she works.
Motivational Interviewing: Listed by Michelle among the ways she works.
Solution-Focused Therapy: Listed by Michelle among the ways she works.
Somatic Therapy: Listed by Michelle among the ways she works.
Trauma-Focused Therapy: Listed by Michelle among the ways she works.
Training stated: This directory copies the approaches a therapist names and does not check training records. Ask Michelle directly how much of the work is narrative and what a session usually looks like.

Narrative Therapy in this listing

Narrative Therapy appears in this therapist's own list of approaches. That tells you it is part of how she works. It does not tell you how much of a session it shapes, and this directory does not check or rate training.

If a narrative approach is what you are looking for, it is worth asking Michelle directly how she uses it and what a session usually looks like.

Online session options

How narrative and skills-based therapy work online

Michelle commonly blends Narrative Therapy with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Client-Centered approaches. Narrative Therapy focuses on the stories people tell about their lives and helps separate problems from identity so new options become visible. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) teaches how to notice thoughts and feelings without getting stuck and to act in ways that match personal values. Client-Centered work emphasizes a respectful, nonjudgmental relationship where the therapist follows the person’s lead and supports their goals.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. Michelle will talk with each person about what matters, try out different techniques, and adjust based on feedback. Together you set practical goals and review what helps between sessions so the work stays relevant to daily life.

Online sessions offer flexible ways to connect. Video calls let you use face-to-face dialogue and exercises. Phone sessions can be easier when bandwidth is low or when you need a quick check-in. Live chat and text-based messaging work well for short updates, coaching-style support, or when writing helps you process thoughts. These options make scheduling easier and let therapy fit around work, caregiving, and other responsibilities.

Common questions about this listing

What kinds of concerns does she address?

She works with stress, anxiety, depression, grief, relationship and intimacy problems, sleep issues, anger, career challenges, bipolar concerns, and coping with life changes.

How would you describe her therapy style?

Her style is warm and interactive. She listens carefully and uses straightforward conversation to set practical goals.

What experience does she bring?

She has seven years of experience as a licensed mental health counselor in Washington working with a broad range of concerns and life challenges.

Where is she licensed and working from?

She is a Washington LMHC licensed mental health counselor based in Washington state.

In which languages are sessions offered?

Sessions are offered in English.

What formats are available for sessions?

Sessions can be conducted by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.

How does payment and cost work?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability; therapy uses a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

How do I begin working with her?

Begin by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule your sessions according to therapist availability.

Contacting this therapist

Sessions with Michelle are arranged through our partner platform. It asks a few questions about what you are looking for, then shows you the therapists available to you, including Michelle where she has space. Ask about fees, and whether she holds a licence or registration where you live.

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