My name is Michele Wiest, MSSW, LCSW, and I’m a licensed clinical social worker with extensive experience working with teenagers, families, adults, and older adults, as well as having worked with diverse populations. I have worked in both inpatient and outpatient settings, as well as in home-based services. I graduated from Arizona State University with a bachelor’s degree in social work and then returned to my home state and attended the University of Wisconsin in Madison, where I received a Master of Science in social work in 2002.

My areas of interest and treatment focus include stress management, life changes, relationship issues, parenting, anxiety, depression, trauma/PTSD, parent-child relationships, self-esteem, and grief and loss. I have a substantial background in hospital and medical social work, assisting patients and their families as they go through illnesses or injuries. I have also worked in hospice and helped patients of all ages and their families through the end-of-life process and bereavement.

I take a holistic approach to treating my patients, including traditional talk therapy, strength-based, trauma focused and mindfulness-based techniques. I approach each patient with compassion, genuineness, creativity, humor, and a non-judgmental outlook.

I know the importance of trust and comfort in the therapist-client relationship and have found that this is the key to effective psychotherapy.