IFSTherapists

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LMFT

Michelle Bonner, LMFT

  • Experience17 years
  • LocationCalifornia
  • Focus areasStress and Anxiety, Family, and Parenting
  • Therapy approachesInternal Family Systems and Client-Centered Therapy
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About Michelle

Michelle Bonner is a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) based in California who supports people coping with stress, anxiety, family tensions, parenting challenges, self-esteem concerns, and life transitions.

Background and approach

With 17 years of clinical experience, she works with issues that include trauma, mood disorders, communication problems, and a range of family-related matters such as adoption and foster care, blended family dynamics, caregiver stress, and family of origin concerns. Her approach emphasizes respectful, sensitive, and compassionate collaboration.

She blends evidence-based techniques like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and mindfulness with client-centered listening and Internal Family Systems perspectives to tailor treatment to each person’s needs. That mix allows her to address immediate coping strategies while exploring underlying patterns that affect relationships and self-regard.

Michelle adapts treatment plans to the individual, drawing on solution-focused work when clients want targeted, practical changes and trauma-focused methods when safety and processing are priorities. She offers sessions in English and provides multiple online formats to fit different schedules and preferences.

Integrating therapeutic approaches for online care

Internal Family Systems (IFS) invites clients to recognize and relate to different parts of themselves - curious or protective parts, for example - so wounded or reactive aspects can be heard and healed. This work can be helpful for people who want to explore internal patterns that drive anxiety, family conflict, or responses to trauma.

Client-Centered Therapy focuses on warm, nonjudgmental listening and supports clients in finding their own solutions. It helps when someone needs a compassionate space to process feelings and build self-understanding. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) offers structured tools to identify and shift unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors, which can reduce anxiety and improve coping in day-to-day life.

Finding the right mix of methods is a collaborative process. The therapist will work together with each client to determine which approaches best fit their goals, preferences, and current needs, adjusting the plan as progress unfolds.

Online therapy with video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging can make consistent care more accessible and easier to fit into busy lives. These formats support flexibility in scheduling, allow continuity when in-person visits are difficult, and give clients options for how they engage in the therapeutic work.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does this therapist address?
She supports people facing stress, anxiety, family conflict, parenting issues, self-esteem difficulties, and coping with life changes, along with related concerns like trauma, mood disorders, and multicultural issues.
How would therapy with her feel in session?
Sessions are collaborative and client-centered, emphasizing respect, sensitivity, and compassion while tailoring conversation and strategies to each person’s needs.
What is her professional background?
She has 17 years of professional experience working with individuals and families on a range of mental health and relational issues.
What are her credentials and where is she located?
She is an LMFT licensed in California with license number CA LMFT 87977 and practices from that state.
Can she see clients who speak other languages or live internationally?
She provides services in English and is not currently accepting international clients.
What session formats are available for online work?
Therapy can be conducted via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to accommodate different preferences and schedules.
How is cost handled for sessions?
Costs vary by location and therapist availability, and sessions are provided through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin therapy with her?
To get started, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule according to therapist availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyFamily conflictsParenting issuesSelf esteemCoping with life changes

Additional focus areas

Adoption and foster careBlended family issuesCaregiver issues and stressCommunication problemsDisruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)Domestic violenceFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsMood disordersMulticultural concernsPost-traumatic stressPrejudice and discriminationSelf-loveSexual assault and abuse

Therapeutic approaches

Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Mindfulness TherapySolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused TherapyInternal Family Systems

Experience

17+ years

Licensed

California

Languages

English