Michelle Tarbell, LMFT

Compassionate, goal-focused marriage and family therapist

About Michelle

Michelle Tarbell is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who brings over 21 years of clinical experience to her work. She focuses on helping people navigate hard transitions, manage stress and anxiety, and recover from trauma and abuse.

Background and approach

Michelle aims to create straightforward sessions where people feel heard and can set clear goals for change. Her style is grounded in client-centered therapy, which means the person in the room helps steer each session.

Michelle listens closely, reflects what she hears, and helps identify practical next steps. Sessions often focus on small changes that add up over time.

She has worked with concerns such as depression, low self-esteem, grief, anger, and compassion fatigue. Parenting challenges, adoption and foster-care issues, attachment and blended-family struggles are also part of her background.

Michelle also supports people coping with ADHD, abandonment, and the effects of domestic violence. Michelle’s practice emphasizes clear goals and collaboration.

She helps people break overwhelming problems into manageable pieces and track progress week to week. Her approach fits people who want direction paired with warm, attentive listening.

Based in Texas, Michelle offers therapy that aims to be adaptable to each person’s life. Sessions can focus on immediate coping skills, deeper personal work, or a mix of both depending on what the person wants to achieve.

Client-centered care delivered online

Client-centered therapy focuses on listening and following the person's concerns. The therapist reflects what is shared, helps the person name goals, and supports decisions about next steps. This approach can be helpful for depression, anxiety, self-esteem work, and relationship-related stress.

Michelle also uses practical goal-setting within sessions so people can see progress week to week. That combination helps with coping during life changes, parenting challenges, and recovery from trauma by keeping work focused and manageable. Choosing the right approach is part of the process and will be shaped together based on personal needs and goals.

Online therapy with video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text messaging offers flexibility. Video is useful for face-to-face interaction when discussing sensitive topics. Phone sessions can be easier when bandwidth is limited or when someone prefers not to be on camera. Chat and text messaging work well for brief check-ins, quick skill practice, or fitting therapy into a busy day. These options make it easier to keep therapy consistent while adapting to daily life.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of problems does she help with?

She helps people dealing with trauma and abuse, depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, grief, and stress. Parenting concerns, ADHD, and family-related issues like adoption and attachment are also listed focus areas.

What is her therapeutic style like?

Her work is primarily client-centered, with an emphasis on listening and following the person's priorities. Sessions are collaborative and often set clear goals together.

How much experience does she have?

She has 21 years of clinical experience and has worked in independent practice for many of those years. That background includes a wide range of family and individual concerns.

Where is she licensed and based?

She is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with licensing in Texas and practices from that state.

Which languages are supported for sessions?

Sessions are offered in English.

Can people outside the U.S. work with her?

International clients are not currently accepted; sessions are conducted with clients located where her Texas licensure applies.

What session formats are available?

She offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to fit different needs and schedules.

How does cost and scheduling work?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability and uses a subscription model that can be canceled at any time. To begin, select Start Therapy, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to availability.

Specialties and expertise

Top specialties

Trauma and abuse
Parenting issues
Self esteem

Also works with

Therapeutic approaches

Client-Centered Therapy

Experience: 21 years
Licensed: Texas
Languages: English