Michelle Upton, LICSW

Michelle Upton is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker, LICSW, practicing in Massachusetts with 8 years of experience supporting individuals and families through major life transitions. She assists clients facing changes on a personal level - including shifts in physical or mental health - as well as relationship challenges like communication or changing role expectations. She also supports people navigating systemic needs, such as collaborating with medical teams and coordinating care among family members and caregivers.

Michelle approaches each case as a collaborative process, tailoring interventions to fit the needs and preferences of the person seeking help. She draws on a range of clinical methods, including client-centered therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), existential and mindfulness approaches, narrative techniques, and solution-focused strategies, often combining these tools rather than relying on a single model.

Her work addresses a broad array of concerns, including stress and anxiety, relationship and family issues, grief, self-esteem, coping with life changes, addictions, intimacy-related matters, parenting and career challenges, depression, coaching goals, and compassion fatigue. Additional focus areas include aging and geriatric issues, cancer and caregiver stress, co-morbidity, commitment and control issues, communication problems, divorce and separation, drug and alcohol addiction, fatherhood issues, fertility concerns, first responder stress, forgiveness, and experiences of guilt and shame.

Feedback often highlights Michelle's calming presence and kindness, qualities that help people feel comfortable early in the process, along with practical expertise that supports progress toward meaningful goals. She emphasizes helping clients find balance between life's joys and its challenges and works with them to establish that balance in ways that fit their circumstances.