Kristin Michaelson, LSW, LMSW, Ed.M

The answers you get depend upon the questions you ask. — Insoo Kim Berg

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Kristin Michaelson, LSW, LMSW, Ed.M's style

Why Kristin Michaelson, LSW, LMSW, Ed.M chose to be in the helping profession

I have always wanted to help and support people throughout my life. That desire began at a young age through babysitting, continued through my work in early childhood education for two decades, and has grown into my current role as a therapist, mother, and partner. Each experience has shaped the way I see people and the importance of having someone who truly listens, understands, and offers support during life’s many challenges. I believe that everyone deserves a safe place to be seen, heard, and understood.

Life can bring unexpected challenges, including relationship struggles, anxiety, grief, life transitions, or experiences that leave us feeling overwhelmed and disconnected from ourselves. I wanted to be someone who could walk alongside others during those moments and help them rediscover their strength, resilience, and sense of self. For me, therapy is about creating meaningful change, building healthier relationships, developing resilience, and helping people reconnect with who they are. It is an honor to be part of someone’s journey as they work toward growth, healing, and a deeper understanding of themselves.

Kristin Michaelson, LSW, LMSW, Ed.M's approach

I am a dynamic and interactive therapist with a solution-focused style. I believe therapy is a collaborative process where we work together to discover your strengths, identify solutions, and create meaningful change. I strive to provide an empathetic foundation of care where clients feel comfortable being open, honest, and fully themselves. My goal is to create a space where you feel supported while also feeling encouraged to explore new perspectives and possibilities.

I am here to facilitate change as my clients learn about themselves and grow through reflection, self-discovery, and challenging the patterns that may no longer be serving them. I believe that understanding ourselves is an important part of creating lasting change, and therapy can provide the opportunity to develop new skills, strengthen relationships, and build confidence. Together, we will explore what is working, what feels challenging, and what steps can help you move forward in a way that feels meaningful and authentic.

What you can expect from sessions with Kristin Michaelson, LSW, LMSW, Ed.M

Sessions with me will be 45 to 50 minutes in length and can take place either in-office or virtually. My goal is to create a space where you feel comfortable, respected, accepted, and able to be yourself. I want each session to feel like a place where you can show up as you are, without judgment, while having the support you need to explore your thoughts, emotions, and experiences.

In our sessions, you can expect a collaborative and supportive relationship. I believe you are the expert on your own life, and my role is to help you gain insight, build practical skills, and navigate challenges with greater confidence and clarity. Together, we will explore the thoughts, emotions, and experiences that may be keeping you feeling stuck while identifying your strengths and creating meaningful, lasting change.

I strive to provide a balance of compassion and gentle honesty. Some sessions may focus on processing difficult emotions, while others may be more solution-focused and centered around developing coping strategies, improving communication, establishing healthy boundaries, or working toward specific goals. Therapy is not about judgment or having all the answers. It is about creating a safe environment where you can be yourself, feel supported, and continue to grow.

Because every person is unique, I tailor my approach to each client’s individual needs and goals. Whether you are navigating anxiety, relationship challenges, life transitions, grief, parenting stress, or simply feeling overwhelmed, we will work together at a pace that feels right for you. My hope is that therapy becomes a place where you feel empowered to better understand yourself, strengthen your relationships, and move toward the life you want to create.

Kristin Michaelson, LSW, LMSW, Ed.M's experience working with the Jewish community

I have had the privilege of working with members of the Jewish community in a variety of settings, including individual and group settings, private practice, the Kaplen JCC in Tenafly, and through volunteer work at my synagogue. These experiences have allowed me to connect with individuals from many different backgrounds and understand the many ways that Jewish identity, traditions, values, and experiences can shape a person’s life. I welcome and support clients from all streams of Judaism and strive to provide care that is respectful, thoughtful, and responsive to each person’s unique beliefs and experiences.

While my personal practice aligns with the Reform movement, I have successfully worked with clients whose connection to Judaism ranges from primarily cultural to those living within Orthodox communities. I understand that each person’s relationship with Judaism is personal and unique, and I strive to honor where each client is on their own journey. My goal is to create a safe, culturally responsive space where every Jewish client feels understood, respected, and supported in their therapeutic process. I believe that feeling seen and valued within the context of one’s identity can be an important part of meaningful therapeutic work.

Kristin Michaelson, LSW, LMSW, Ed.M's Book Recommendation Zone

• The Conscious Parent: Transforming Ourselves, Empowering Our Children
  In a world overflowing with parenting advice, The Conscious Parent stands apart as a spiritual, emotional, and psychological breakthrough. Written by renowned clinical psychologist Dr. Shefali Tsabary, this bestselling parenting book redefines what it means to raise emotionally healthy, empowered children—by first turning the mirror inward. Rooted in both Eastern mindfulness and Western psychology, this transformative approach invites parents to step beyond control-based discipline and quick-fix techniques. Instead, Dr. Shefali teaches how to develop conscious parenting skills that emphasize emotional intelligence, mutual respect, and deep parent-child connection.
• Too Good to Leave, Too Bad to Stay: A Step-by-Step Guide to Help You Decide Whether to Stay In or Get Out of Your Relationship
  Mira Kirshenbaum provides expert guidelines that are the key to making all your choices, concrete steps that you can implement right now, and the ultimate way to determine your personal bottom line—what you need to be happy. This remarkably insightful and probing guide offers advice that lets you see the truth about your relationship—and with wisdom and compassion, it helps you act with the confidence of knowing that whether you decide to go or stay, you are doing the very best thing.
• Your Baby & Child: The Classic Childcare Guide, Revised and Updated
  Your Baby & Child is essential for every new parent. In easy to follow stages from birth through age five (newborn, settled baby, older baby, toddler, young child), Your Baby & Child addresses parents’ every concern over the physical, emotional, and psychological well-being of their baby. Areas covered: feeding; physical growth and everyday care; sleeping; excreting and toilet mastery; crying and comforting; muscle power; seeing and understanding; hearing and learning to speak; playing and learning and thinking; learning how to behave.

Approaches

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
• Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
• Mindfulness and Meditation
• Person-Centered Therapy
• Solution Focused Brief (SFBT)

Concerns

• Anxiety
• Dating
• Depression
• Divorce/Separation
• Emotion regulation
• Life purpose and meaning
• Parenting
• Prenatal, perinatal, & postpartum mental health
• Religious Identity Issues
• Stress management
• Transitions & Change

2 years in practice

Licenses

• Licensed Social Worker by NJ State Board of Social Work Examiners 2024. License number 44SL07120400
• Licensed Master Social Worker by New York State Education Department (NYSED), Office of the Professions 2024. License number 126113-01

Degrees

• MSW by Rutgers University School of Social Work 2024
• Ed.M. by Harvard Graduate School of Education 2007
• BA by University of Pennsylvania 2004

Average costs per session

$200 - $225

Payment Methods

• Credit Card
• Zelle Quick Pay
• Venmo
• PayPal