Michelle Goodwater , LMHC

Michelle Goodwater is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) practicing in Washington with seven years of clinical experience. She holds Washington license WA LMHC 60938979 and has worked with people facing a broad range of concerns, including combat trauma, military sexual trauma, childhood abuse and childhood sexual abuse, rape, depression, anxiety, relationship challenges, career difficulties, sleep problems, grief, traumatic brain injury (TBI), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). She has also supported many individuals who have experienced physical trauma or emotional abuse.

Her therapeutic style is described as warm and interactive, centered on respect, sensitivity, and compassion. She avoids stigmatizing labels and collaborates with clients to tailor conversations and treatment plans to each person’s unique needs. Her work integrates cognitive-behavioral, humanistic, psychodynamic, and solution-focused approaches to provide flexible, individualized care.

Michelle encourages people who are ready to pursue change and a more fulfilling life, offering guidance and support through that process. She is not currently accepting new clients and does not work with international clients.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care

Michelle Goodwater draws on several evidence-informed methods to support clients remotely. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying and adjusting unhelpful thought and behavior patterns to reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress; it is practical and goal-oriented, useful for managing daily challenges. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a trauma-focused approach that helps people process distressing memories and reduce the emotional intensity tied to traumatic events. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) emphasizes values-driven action and learning to accept difficult internal experiences while committing to meaningful behavior changes.

Choosing the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Michelle works collaboratively with each person to determine which methods best fit their needs, goals, and preferences, and she adjusts the plan over time based on progress and feedback.

Online therapy offers flexibility and accessibility by allowing sessions via video calls, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging. These formats make it easier to attend appointments from home, balance therapy with work or caregiving responsibilities, and access licensed professionals when in-person visits are difficult. For many people, remote options make consistent therapeutic work more manageable and sustainable.