Michelle Topal, Psychotherapist in Raleigh, 27609

Michelle Topal, MSW, LCSW

Profession(s):
Psychotherapy, Mental Health Counseling, Marriage & Family Therapy
License Status:
I'm a licensed professional.
Primary License:
Licensed Clinical Social Worker - C003891

My Approach to Helping

I know it's not easy to seek help and confront the concerns you are experiencing. I am here to help you explore the obstacles you are facing and find the path that is best for you. I want to help and believe that we are all capable of creating change in our lives. Talking about struggles and finding solutions is not easy, but I work to make it as comfortable and safe as possible. In coming to see me or another therapist in my group practice, you will feel cared for, heard and understood. I will help you find practical solutions, different ways to think about your situation and options, and have a life that is full and meaningful. My approach is informal, straight-forward, honest, caring and genuine. It can also be more structured and goal-directed, if this is preferable. People that come to my office may cry, yell, but may also laugh, as they confront the painful, uncomfortable and sometimes confusing issues of their lives. I am committed to making it safe to express those feelings and figure out what they mean to you and the life you want to have. Call me. I want to help you begin making your life more of what you want it to be.

More Info About My Practice

I am the owner of Change for Living Counseling, PLLC. At my group practice, there are therapists with diverse backgrounds and specialties. It's important to find a counselor that helps you feel comfortable and understood, so contact us to see who may be the right fit for you.

RATES:
-$110/50 min individual session (rates vary depending on service)

REDUCED FEES:
-Are offered on a limited basis.
Please discuss with us any financial hardship that might impact your ability to pay our self-pay rates. I know things have been difficult for a lot of people, so we will lower rates in a limited number of cases.

INSURANCE:
-Call us to find out what insurance we take.
The providers at my practice take insurance, though which ones they take varies from therapist to therapist. Due to issues of confidentiality/privacy I limit involving insurance companies in client treatment. However, I do accept some insurance, so let me know if you have insurance that you would like to use.

PAYMENT:
-Cash, check & credit card (through Paypal accepted)

HOURS:
-Evening & Weekend hours available
We're here when you need us. In order to accommodate people's schedules, we do have evening and weekend hours available.

Please call now at 919/807-1454 to see how we can help.

Specific Issue(s) I'm Skilled at Helping With

At Change for Living Counseling PLLC, we have a number of therapists, with different areas of specialty/expertise. While I have focused on addressing the unique needs of the LGBT community, issues of addiction and child/family concerns, the other counselors in my practice are here to help you address many different concerns/issues. We have a therapist who can offer services in Spanish, and another who offers services on a sliding fee scale. We are here to help if you are having overwhelming feelings of sadness, anger, anxiety, and panic, as well as challenges related to ADHD, OCD, hoarding, aspergers/autism, and trauma/PTSD. We also have someone who is uniquely qualified as a yoga teacher and psychologist and who incorporates these offering "yoga therapy". We offer therapy to individuals, couples, especially LGBT couples, adults, kids, and families. We welcome the opportunity to help you with whatever challenges you are facing. If we are not a good fit, we are committed to helping you find a therapist or practice that is.

Theoretical Influences that Guide My Work

I believe that we all have struggles, including those of us in the helping professions. I believe it is part of the human condition and it unites us in many ways. Because of this, I see most behaviors as purposeful attempts to get our needs met that are adaptive and "normal", but that may become problematic when they are no longer working for us. I see challenges and healing as a combination of mind and the body. My approach to helping myself and others is to incorporate changing ways of thinking, feeling and behaving. In this effort, I look at applying research and our understanding of the brain and it's functioning to gain insight into how change is best created. This includes how the therapeutic relationship can help to heal the brain and increase feelings of connection, such that relationships outside the therapy office are improved.

Importance of the Client-Therapist Alliance

We at Change for Living Counseling are committed to making people feel safe, understood and accepted in their experience with us. The most important aspect of therapy, is the relationship between the therapist and client. To that end, we want you to feel that you can trust us to care for your feelings and needs in a way that is healing unto itself. Often it is in the unconditional acceptance of this relationship that change and healing occur. This is not necessarily because this relationship is entirely unique, but because it offers the opportunity to feel responded to that provides unique benefits. We want you to feel in talking with us, that we care and have the knowledge and experience to put this into practice in a way that makes you feel understood and heard.

Services I Provide

Individual Therapy & Counseling
Marriage, Couples, or Relationship Counseling
Family Therapy
Group Therapy
Clinical Supervision

Ages I Work With

Children
Teens
Adults
Elders

Languages I Speak

English
Spanish

Groups I Work With

I have 25 years experience working with kids, especially teens, and their families. I also have spent over 25 years education and experience with issues of sexual orientation/sexual identity and working in the LGBT community. I work with issues of addiction and those who have experienced childhood sexual, physical and emotional abuse. In addition to my areas of expertise, the other experienced and skilled therapists at Change for Living Counseling PLLC have wide ranging specialties and are available to help, including a Spanish speaking therapist and psychological testing.