Michelle Stanton White, LMFT

Michelle Stanton White is a licensed marriage and family therapist who helps people facing stress, anxiety, depression, grief, and relationship struggles. She speaks English and Vietnamese and works with adults on concerns like parenting, career stress, sleep problems, anger, and questions about gender and identity. Her style is practical and straightforward for people who want clear steps and real change.

She left a career in the computer industry to pursue therapy and now brings nine years of clinical experience to her practice. She focuses on helping clients spot patterns that get in the way, test new ways of responding, and make decisions that fit their values. Sessions aim to be collaborative so clients feel heard while trying techniques that can reduce symptoms and improve daily life.

Michelle uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy along with client-centered approaches and skills from Dialectical Behavior Therapy when useful. She may also draw on Emotionally-Focused Therapy or Motivational Interviewing to address motivation and relationship patterns. The approach is adapted to each person rather than one fixed method.

Her work includes attention to aging and caregiver stress, issues related to gender dysphoria, and concerns common to people in the LGBT community. She supports people navigating life changes and major losses, helping them build practical tools and clearer direction.

Sessions are offered in California and conducted in formats that fit a busy life. Michelle aims for a warm, respectful relationship while guiding clients toward choices that increase wellbeing.

Approaches that guide online sessions

Michelle commonly uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people identify unhelpful thoughts and try different behaviors that reduce anxiety and depression. CBT focuses on small experiments and practical skills that change how daily problems feel.

She also works from a client-centered perspective, which means she prioritizes listening and building a respectful relationship. That approach helps people feel understood and guides decisions about which techniques to try next. Dialectical Behavior Therapy skills are used when emotional regulation, distress tolerance, or interpersonal effectiveness are needed; these are concrete tools for handling strong emotions.

Choosing the right approach is part of the work together. Michelle will discuss goals, try methods that match those goals, and adjust based on what helps. The process is collaborative so the plan reflects the client’s needs and preferences.

Online sessions are offered as video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to provide flexibility. Video is useful for deeper conversation and visual cues. Phone calls can fit a tight schedule or use less bandwidth. Live chat and texting work for quick check-ins, skill practice, or people who prefer writing. These options make it easier to keep regular contact and try strategies between meetings.