Natalia Michaelson → Therapist at Best Therapists

California LCSW #127094; Massachusetts, LICSW #1121400; Ohio LISW #I.2406119

Natalia Michaelson

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Mission Viejo

Female

White, Multiracial, Asian

Virtual and In Person

Specialties

Multiracial experience, Disordered eating, Trauma

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Education

Masters of Social Work | Simmons University, 2020

About

Natalia is a biracial licensed therapist who specializes in supporting people struggling with eating disorders, complex trauma, anxiety, and negative body image. She sub-specializes in supporting people who identify as BIPoC or biracial, helping professionals, family cycle breakers, and first time therapy goers. Natalia draws on her professional and lived experiences to support clients in navigating their relationships with food, body image, loved ones, and themselves. Her approach is full of collaboration, compassion, and honesty. Natalia has worked in both higher levels of care (PHP/IOP) and outpatient settings treating eating disorders and trauma. She practices using a feminist, anti-diet, and body liberation lens.

Message to clients

Do you ever feel like you don't belong? Maybe you’re the black sheep of the family—critiqued, judged, or perceived as the outcast. Or you’re the “golden child” whose needs are dismissed because everyone assumes you have it together and that you’ll end up fine. Maybe you’ve been met with rigidity when you needed flexibility, harshness when you needed softness, or judgment when you needed compassion. There might be spaces where you don’t feel welcome. Oppressive systems and people in your life will tell you who you should be, what you should do, or how you should feel. Navigating the complexities of race, culture, and identity can be challenging and overwhelming. But I’m here to support YOU as you navigate this difficult terrain.

Race and ethnicity

White, Multiracial, Asian

Cultural and experiential knowledge

White culture, Asian culture, Multicultural

Languages spoken

English

Spiritual knowledge

Non-religious (Agnosticism, Atheism, Secular), Christianity, Catholicism

Location

Mission Viejo

Specialties

Multiracial experience, Disordered eating, Trauma

Additional areas of focus

Abuse, Anxiety, Multiracial experience, Multicultural experience, Body image, Caring professionals, Codependency, Highly sensitive people, Life transitions, Mindfulness, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Racial identity, Self esteem, Stress

Therapeutic style

Affirming, Social justice oriented, Calming, Passionate, Humorous

Modalities

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Attachment based, Brainspotting, Dialectical behavior therapy,Internal family systems, Mindfulness based, Narrative, Psychodynamic, Trauma-focused

Cost

$225

/Individual Session

$275

/Couples Session

$275

/Family Session

Sliding scale

Offers sliding scale spots

Insurance accepted

Works with your out of network benefits to get you reimbursed for therapy

Click here to check your benefits with our free out of network benefits checker

Naomi Tapia, AMFT

Natalia is a compassionate and skilled therapist who approaches each client with authenticity, respect, and a deep commitment to their well-being. She cultivates an inclusive space where clients of all backgrounds and identities can feel seen, heard, and supported. Natalia is an excellent clinician who I wholeheartedly recommend to anyone seeking a therapist who is struggling with disordered eating and values honesty and growth.

Crystelle Snyder, LCSW

Natalia is dedicated to challenging toxic norms, prejudice, dynamics, systems, and oppression that interfere with people achieving their goals, and realizing their full worth and potential. She is committed to modeling and building healthy relationships while maintaining her boundaries and honoring others'. She values humility, safety, individuality, and attentiveness, and is a ideal guide for clients who are feeling apprehensive about body image, relationships, self-esteem, and intersectional identities.

Emily Rubenstein, LMFT

Natalia is an incredibly warm and compassionate presence, excellent at meeting people exactly where they’re at and affirming of all identities. She approaches each case with a social justice-informed approach, holding space for all ways a person has been impacted by the systems they walk within.

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