Michaela Cassella

Michaela Cassella is a mental health counselor (MHC-LP) working under the supervision of Dr. Robert Goldman. In 2022, Michaela graduated cum laude from the University of Delaware where she earned two Bachelor of Arts Honors degrees in Criminal Justice and Psychology. Furthering her academic career, she graduated with distinction from John Jay College of Criminal Justice earning her Master of Arts degree in Forensic Mental Health Counseling. Currently, Michaela is working towards licensure for mental health counseling (LMHC). At the core of her therapeutic practice, Michaela recognizes that the patient is the expert of their own life experience and emotions. She believes that counseling can help to navigate the complexities that come with life’s challenges in a safe and healthy manner. Combining trained experience and evidence-based approaches, Michaela is dedicated to creating a space that allows for the exploration and understanding of difficult thoughts, feelings, and personal struggles free of judgement and harsh criticism. Using a patient-centered approach, Michaela’s therapeutic style is empathetic and collaborative, honoring her patients’ wisdom and perspective, as well as direct and challenging at times. This can require the patient to confront themselves in a way that may surface uncomfortable feelings, but is necessary for positive growth and change. She integrates several different empirically sound approaches including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and psychodynamic therapy, while employing a multicultural, intersectional, and trauma-informed framework. Michaela works with children, teens, and adults on the individual and group level who are experiencing a variety of mental health-related issues such as anxiety, ADHD, depression, stress, interpersonal conflict, trauma and PTSD, life transitions, low self-esteem, and addiction.