Michelle L. Smith, MSW, LCSW

Owner of Counseling Associates at the Lake, Inc. 

mjlsmithlcsw@caatl.net

PLEASE NOTE that Michelle is not taking new clients at this time, HOWEVEr, 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 32 years of post-grad clinical experience. Michelle began her career in Child Psychiatry at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, MD from 1993-1996 and then went on to work for 7 years as a therapist at Magellan Behavioral Health in Charlotte, NC. In 2003, she opened up her own private practice in Cornelius, NC. Several years later, Michelle decided to expand the practice, 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 teens (14+), adults of all ages and couples/families. 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) and general relationship issues with others, seniors going through life stage transitions, men who historically have avoided therapy and are now on a journey to understand themselves more deeply, family of origin relational issues, individuals working to free themselves from and/or manage toxic and/or narcissistic relationships (family or otherwise) or individuals in general ready to do deeper level self-healing work, and general life stressors and transitions. 

Her therapeutic style tends to be “no nonsense” and somewhat eclectic, designing a treatment plan and approach 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 and somewhat more casual, open and honest approach.

Michelle adores the mental health field and takes a little more of an easy going and humanistic approach to therapy that feels very powerful for her clients but far less rigid. It is so important to her that clients truly feel safe, at ease to be comfortable and their authentic selves and to feel that she is relatable and a “real” person. You will see her also “being her”…ADD and all! :) She is a fierce and protective “mama bear” for her clients and all who have met her easily see that she feels it is a privilege to be a part of their lives during some of their most difficult, painful or challenging times.

Michelle is kind, empathetic, spunky, fun-loving, a little goofy and silly, very passionate and an accepting/open minded person and therapist with both a great sense of humor and a true deep care for her clients and humans. She is open about her own ADD, her fighting and surviving cancer and anything else that may have any bearing on time with her or your comfort.

Michelle is and has always been an ardent safe space ally for the LGBTQIA+ population and clients who identify as queer, as well as all members of ANY vulnerable or marginalized populations/groups/cultures/races, etc. She is dedicated to be a culturally competent therapist, to social justice issues and is also a very “blue” dot in today’s uncertain and scary times in this country. Clients are welcome to inquire about anything from politics to absolutely anything else they would like to know about her for them to feel safe and comfortable.

Michelle’s office is always a safe space. Bring your tears, your laughs, your fears, your cursing, your sense of humor, your frustrations, your goofiness, your worries, your story telling and no holding back…..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 both in-person and telehealth sessions though does not generally offer telehealth only. She sees clients for daytime and some evening appointments and is a provider for many insurances including most BCBS plans, United, Aetna, Medicare, Tricare, Medcost (not CBHA) and also accepts self-pay/private pay. Couples/marital/ongoing relationship (of any kind) therapy is private pay.

When not working Michelle fully embraces life. She most enjoys horseback riding and spending time at the barn with her horse, “Jiggy”. She adores both the mountains and the beach and particularly loves Folly Beach, SC, attempting to get there a few times a year. Michelle also loves kayaking, traveling anytime she can and going on new adventures, attending plays and musicals, art forms of all kinds, trying out new restaurants or venues, seeing live music, cooking, loving on her ragdoll cats (Charlie and Jed…as a humble reformed cat hater), consignment or thrift shopping and social justice advocacy. Most importantly, she cherishes spending time with family, her daughter who is currently in graduate school and her amazing and beloved friends.

Contact Information:

(704) 301.5424

mjlsmithlcsw@caatl.net

Michelle attempts to respond to client contact within 24 hours. If you do not hear back from her within 24-48 hours during the week, please text or email to make sure she got your message. EMAILING OR TEXTING is the best and quickest way to reach her.