What's My Approach to Therapy?
Hi there! I am Michelle Lehto Flores and I like to help people who look like they “have it all together” on the outside, but feel overwhelmed, stuck, or alone on the inside. My ideal client is someone who is ready to be honest with themselves first about what’s not working anymore. You might be navigating relationship stress, people-pleasing, burnout, parenting, past trauma, or big life transitions. You don’t have to show up knowing exactly what you need; you just need to be willing to show up and be curious about yourself. I love working with folks who are open to reflection, willing to try new skills, and want therapy to feel like a real conversation, not an interrogation.
My style is warm, direct, and collaborative. In our work together, I’ll hold a nonjudgmental, affirming space but I’m also not afraid to gently challenge patterns that are keeping you stuck. I pull from evidence-based approaches like CBT, DBT-informed skills, and trauma-informed care, while always centering you as the expert of your own life. We might explore your thoughts and beliefs, practice boundaries, work on emotional regulation, or untangle old stories that no longer fit who you are becoming. I care deeply about making therapy feel practical and grounded: you’ll leave sessions with insight, but also with tools you can actually use between sessions.
A little about me: I’m a therapist based in Chicago, and I’ve spent years working in various mental health settings and most recently in community mental health, supporting individuals and families through complex life challenges. That experience has shaped my belief that people are incredibly resilient; and that healing is possible with the right support, consistency, and compassion. I’m also a parent, partner, and human with lived experienced who understands how messy and beautiful life can be at the same time. In our work together, you can expect authenticity, humor when it fits, and a steady reminder that you don’t have to do this alone.