Michele Root, LCSW
Welcome
Welcome to my website. My name is Michele Root, and I am a licensed clinical social worker in the state of California. I provide individual psychotherapy via telehealth.
I want to acknowledge that reaching out for help can be extremely tough to do. This is a safe, supportive, and judgement free zone. My website is designed to briefly provide some basic information about me as a licensed clinician and my therapy practice in the state of California. I’m physically located in the South Bay Area in the heart of Silicon Valley, but I provide psychotherapy via telehealth to clients located anywhere in the state.
My goal is to provide a safe healing sanctuary for trauma survivors and those wanting to improve their mental health. Processing feelings and memories, along with regulating your nervous system, is hard work. Often when starting therapy, things may feel worse before they get better. Also, healing is not linear, so it can be a bumpy journey ahead. I’m here to go through it with you. You don’t have to do it alone. Along the way, we’ll work together to develop skills in helping you manage your nervous system and reconnect with yourself so that you can return to or discover your authentic self.
Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions about my clinical work or if you’d like to schedule a time to speak with me. I offer an initial free 20 minute phone consultation as a time for you to ask any questions and we can determine if it would be a good fit working together. I respond to every message I receive. I do my best to schedule consultation phone calls as soon as possible. I know often, when searching for the right therapist, it’s urgent, and I respect that.
This practice is a safe space for people of all gender identities, ethnic backgrounds, and sexual orientations.
Finding the Right Fit
One of the most important aspects of therapy is having good rapport with your therapist. It may take time for me to earn your trust, and that’s ok. I also might not be the best fit for you and that’s ok too. You decide the right therapist that you feel is going to work best for you. You deserve a trusting therapeutic relationship where you feel you can open up and work through processing intimate parts of your life.
It’s normal to look for different qualities and identities when finding the right therapist for you. Who am I outside of my role as a therapist? I identify as a white cis-gender woman. 1st generation college student. I was born and raised in Pennsylvania. My spouse and I relocated to California for graduate school where we lived in downtown Los Angeles before moving to the Bay Area. East coast to west coast. My spouse is a military veteran. I consider myself a “book worm” and read a lot of books. “Bibliotherapy” has been part of my own healing journey. Sometimes I like to use a relational book or movie reference during sessions. I find inspiration and joy in nature and spending time with animals. My cat, Evie, can sometimes show up as an emotional support animal during telehealth sessions. I prioritize my own health and fitness so that I am better able to show up in my work. I’ve been a lifelong runner. Running has been a helpful way in retraining my nervous system. If you have other questions, please feel free to reach out and ask. I want you to feel comfortable in finding the right therapist for you.