- Trauma and mood support
- Goal-focused planning
- LGBTQ ally
About Marisela
Marisela Cuellar-VanHouten is a licensed master social worker (LMSW) based in Michigan who focuses on practical help for common mental health concerns. She supports people facing trauma and abuse, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, stress, grief, and issues with self-esteem or confidence. She is an LGBTQ+ ally and pays attention to how culture shapes each person's experience.
Marisela draws on ten years of direct individual therapy experience. She aims to tailor conversations and plans to each client's needs. Sessions are collaborative and goal-focused, with attention to what feels useful in daily life.
Her approach blends straightforward methods such as cognitive behavioral therapy with acceptance and commitment therapy and client-centered listening. Mindfulness and dialectical behavior ideas may appear when they match a client's goals. The focus is on building skills that help manage emotions, improve coping, and support decision making.
She also brings experience supporting people with chronic illness and caregiver stress, sleeping problems, anger, ADHD, and intimacy-related concerns. Marisela frames change as a step-by-step process and helps people break bigger problems into manageable steps.
People who choose her can expect respectful, calm guidance and practical tools. She emphasizes collaboration and adjusts pace to what each person can handle. To begin, she asks about current concerns and what a better life would look like, then shapes a plan from there.
How therapeutic approaches shape online work
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people notice difficult thoughts without getting stuck in them and choose actions that match their values. It can be useful for depression, anxiety, and life transitions by focusing on small steps toward what matters. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) breaks problems into thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and teaches concrete strategies to change unhelpful patterns. CBT is often used for anxiety, mood concerns, sleep, and anger. Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes listening without judgment, following the person's lead, and building trust; this approach supports emotional processing and motivation.Finding the right mix of approaches is part of the work. The therapist will talk with each person about goals, preferences, and what has helped before. Together they decide which methods to try and adjust them as progress is made.
Session formats are not listed in the biography, so confirm current options before booking. Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy life, reduce commute time, and allow shorter check-ins when schedules are tight. It also allows continuity of care when dealing with chronic illness or caregiver responsibilities. Ask about available formats when you schedule so sessions match your needs and daily routine.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
10+ years
Credentials
Michigan
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does Marisela help with?
She supports people with trauma and abuse, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, stress, grief, self-esteem, ADHD, sleep problems, caregiver stress, and related issues listed in her specialties.
What is her therapy style like?
Her style is collaborative and practical. She listens with respect, then helps set concrete goals and teaches skills to manage emotions and daily challenges.
How long has she been working in this field?
She has ten years of experience providing individual therapy, within a broader 30-year professional background.
What credentials does she hold and where is she located?
She holds an LMSW, which stands for Licensed Master Social Worker, and practices in Michigan.
Which languages are supported for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can international clients work with her?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
How does payment and cost work?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What are the first steps to start therapy?
Click the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule sessions according to the therapist's availability.