Michelle Valerio is a warm and empathetic Licensed Professional Counselor Associate and National Certified Counselor who is passionate about helping individuals of all ages find balance, resilience, and hope. She holds a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Southern Connecticut State University, earned in 2024, and a Bachelor’s in Psychology with a specialization in Mental Health and a minor in Wellness, earned in 2010, also from Southern Connecticut State University.

From a young age, Michelle felt called to support others through listening, encouragement, and helping them recognize their inner strengths. Her natural compassion and life experiences inspired her to pursue a career where she could make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.

Michelle creates a safe, welcoming, and nonjudgmental space where clients can feel comfortable being their authentic selves. Her therapeutic style is grounded in empathy, encouragement, and authenticity, with room for humor and lightness when appropriate. She believes no one should struggle alone and strives to walk alongside her clients through their challenges, offering support, guidance, and advocacy, especially for youth navigating school-based stressors.

With over a decade of experience in the mental health field, Michelle has worked extensively with children, adolescents, and adults in a variety of settings, including inpatient psychiatric units, therapeutic group homes, and community-based programs. She has facilitated numerous groups on topics such as emotional regulation, coping skills, and self-esteem, and has also provided case management and therapeutic support across different levels of care. During her graduate studies, she completed internships at a Marriage and Family Therapy clinic, a Community Services agency, several private practices, and an Intensive Outpatient Program.

Michelle describes her approach as eclectic, drawing from various evidence-based modalities to meet each client’s individual needs. She believes flexibility and creativity are key to effective therapy, especially when working with youth who may find traditional talk therapy challenging. Michelle integrates worksheets, reflection exercises, and expressive arts techniques to make therapy both engaging and meaningful.

At the heart of Michelle’s work is the belief that every individual has the capacity to heal, grow, and thrive, and that a diagnosis does not define who they are. She helps clients see beyond their struggles, recognize their strengths, and move toward their fullest potential.

Outside of her clinical work, Michelle enjoys spending time with her nephew, soaking up the sunshine at the beach, going to the gym, attending local fairs and festivals, shopping, and occasionally experimenting in the kitchen.