Michelle McHugh , LICSW, LCSW

Michelle McHugh is a licensed clinical social worker with 23 years of experience working across inpatient and outpatient settings. She holds LICSW and LCSW credentials - professional licenses that indicate advanced training and clinical authority in social work - and earned a Master of Social Work (MSW) from New York University. Over her career she has worked in inpatient addiction treatment, psychiatric facilities, and community mental health clinics, gaining broad experience with substance use, mood disorders, trauma, and relational concerns.

Michelle has developed specialties in LGBTQIA issues, substance use disorders, trauma and PTSD, codependency, and shame reduction, and she brings particular experience supporting military members and veterans. She has served more than 11 years in the Army National Guard as a Behavioral Health Officer and has spent eight years working directly with active Guard soldiers and veterans from multiple service branches.

Her therapeutic style is collaborative and client-centered, avoiding stigmatizing labels and tailoring interventions to each person. She integrates cognitive behavioral techniques, mindfulness practices, motivational interviewing, and elements of 12-step recovery and dialectical behavioral strategies as appropriate, and she is trained in evidence-based trauma treatments including EMDR and cognitive processing approaches. Michelle adapts these methods to fit individual goals, strengths, and life circumstances, focusing on practical coping skills, recovery from addiction, and healing from trauma.

Therapeutic approaches and online care

Michelle McHugh uses evidence-based approaches that translate well to online formats. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thought and behavior patterns to reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, and mood disorders; sessions teach practical skills for managing thoughts, emotions, and daily functioning. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a trauma-focused method that helps process distressing memories and reduce their emotional intensity, supporting recovery from PTSD and other trauma-related reactions. Mindfulness therapy draws on present-moment awareness and acceptance techniques to reduce stress, improve sleep, and build resilience for coping with life changes and ongoing emotional challenges.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. Michelle works with each person to assess needs, goals, and preferences, and she tailors treatment plans by combining methods when appropriate so therapy fits the individual rather than forcing a single model.

Online therapy offers flexible ways to engage - video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging - making it easier to maintain consistency amid busy schedules, geographic constraints, or mobility concerns. Licensed professionals can use these formats to teach skills, guide trauma work, and support recovery in ways that fit a client’s life and pace.