Michelle L. Smith, MSW, LCSW

Therapist and Owner of Counseling Associates at the Lake, Inc. 

mjlsmithlcsw@caatl.net

PLEASE NOTE MICHELLE HAS LIMITED AVAILABILITY, HOWEVER IF SHE IS UNABLE TO ACCCOMODATE YOU, SHE IS HAPPY TO ASSIST YOU IN FINDING ANOTHER THERAPIST WHO WOULD BE A GOOD FIT FOR YOU AND YOUR NEEDS. Do not hesitate to ask for her help on this!

Michelle graduated from Clemson University in 1991 with a degree in Psychology and went on to obtain her Masters degree in Social Work with a Mental Health specialty in 1993.  She has over 31 years of post-graduate clinical experience.  Michelle began her career in Child Psychiatry at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, MD and then went on to work for 7 years as a therapist at Magellan Behavioral Health in Charlotte, NC and then started her own private practice in Cornelius, NC in 2003. After years of a thriving private practice, Michelle decided to expand wanting to form a team of likeminded therapists who shared her same passion and dedication to their work and their clients and founded Counseling Associates at the Lake, Inc. in 2014. 

Michelle works with adolescents (14+), adults of all ages and couples.  She has a special interest and expertise in working with adolescents and/or college age youth, couples/marital therapy (with couples of all sexual orientations), seniors going through life stage transitions, parenting/family and step parenting issues, family of origin relational issues, individuals working to free themselves from and/or manage toxic and/or narcissistic relationships (family or otherwise) or individuals ready to do deeper level self-healing work, LGBTQIA+ related issues, and general life stressors and transitions. 

Her therapeutic style tends to be “no nonsense” and somewhat eclectic, catering to each individual client’s needs and personality using a generally solution focused, person centered, direct and cognitive behavioral approach.  Many of Michelle’s clients have often referred to her as a “straight shooter” and they appreciate her direct but also warm, somewhat more casual, and human approach.

Michelle is a kind, empathetic, spunky, passionate and open minded person and therapist with both a great sense of humor and a truly deep care and compassion for her clients. Michelle adores the field and prefers to take a little more of an easy going and humanistic approach. She wants clients to feel at ease to truly be themselves and to feel that she is relatable and a “real” person. She is a fiercely dedicated “mama bear” to her clients and all who have met her recognize her feeling that it is a privilege to be a part of their lives during some of their most difficult, painful or challenging times.  She helps her clients to define their goals, hopes, concerns and desires and together as a team, they will do their very best to achieve them!

Michelle is and has always been an ardent safe space ally for the LGBTQIA+ population and all members of any vulnerable or marginalized populations/groups. She is passionately dedicated to be a culturally competent therapist, to social justice issues and is a very “blue” dot in today’s uncertain and often scary country.

Michelle’s office is always a safe space. Bring your tears, your laughs, your fears, your cursing, your frustrations, your goofiness, your worries, your story telling and no holding back self…..whatever you need to be authentically you. And if it ever doesn’t feel safe, comfortable or meeting your needs, she WANTS you to tell her. You are the leader in this journey.

Michelle offers day and some evening appointments.  She is a provider for most all the major insurance companies including most BCBS plans, United, Aetna, Medicare, Tricare, Medcost (not CBHA) and also accepts self-pay/private pay. Couples/marital therapy is private pay only.

Michelle makes every attempt to respond to new client calls or emails within 24 hours.

OFFERING BOTH IN-PERSON AND VIRTUAL/TELEHEALTH SESSIONS though she does not do exclusively telehealth.

When not working Michelle has an active lifestyle and most enjoys horseback riding and spending time at the barn with her horse, “Jiggy”. She adores both the mountains and the beach. She particularly loves Folly Beach and tries to get there a few times a year. Michelle enjoys kayaking, traveling anytime she can, going on new adventures, trying new restaurants or venues, photography, social justice advocacy, live music, playing with and loving on her ragdoll cats (as a humbled reformed cat hater), discovering new music and other art forms of all kinds, cooking, consignment or thrift shopping for absolutely anything and everything. Most importantly, she cherishes getting to spend time with family, her daughter who is currently in graduate school and her amazing friends.

Contact Information:

(704) 301.5424

mjlsmithlcsw@caatl.net