Michele "Shelly" Virva , LMSW

Michele "Shelly" Virva is a Michigan-based LMSW, which stands for Licensed Master Social Worker, with more than 20 years of professional experience supporting people through difficult life challenges. She has worked with individuals facing stress, anxiety, women's issues, substance use disorder, trauma and abuse, and depression, offering practical guidance and steady support.

She views each person as the expert on their own life and focuses on building on existing strengths to navigate change. Michele emphasizes the courage involved in seeking a more fulfilling life and aims to empower clients as they take early steps toward that change. Her approach blends empathy with concrete strategies to help people manage symptoms, improve relationships, and set realistic goals.

In addition to her core specialties, Michele addresses related concerns such as attachment issues, caregiver stress, chronic pain and illness, co-morbidity, communication problems, divorce and separation, drug and alcohol addiction, guilt and shame, impulsivity, midlife transitions, mood disorders, post-traumatic stress, pregnancy and childbirth, women’s concerns, and workplace difficulties. She focuses on collaborative care that helps clients clarify priorities, develop coping skills, and move toward meaningful improvements in daily life.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care with Michele "Shelly" Virva

Michele "Shelly" Virva integrates client-centered therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) into her online work. Client-centered therapy emphasizes listening, empathy, and respect for each person’s perspective, helping people feel heard and supported while they explore goals and values. CBT focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and behaviors and developing practical skills to reduce anxiety, depression, and patterns that contribute to substance use or relationship strain.

She also incorporates mindfulness therapy techniques to help clients build present-moment awareness, reduce stress, and improve emotional regulation through simple attention and breathing practices. These approaches are useful for issues such as stress, trauma responses, mood concerns, and difficulties coping with life changes.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapy journey, and Michele works collaboratively with clients to determine which methods best match their needs, goals, and preferences. Together they adjust strategies over time to support progress.

Online sessions by video, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging offer flexibility for busy schedules, caregiving responsibilities, mobility limits, or geographic constraints. These options make it easier to access consistent support and to continue therapeutic work between in-person visits when that is helpful.