Therapist in San Diego, CA Michelle Pappalardi, Therapist

Michelle Pappalardi is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) that has experience working with children, youth, adults, couples, and families. She worked with system-involved youth and families at the County of San Diego over 15 years before coming to Lifestance Health, Inc. Michelle earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Women’s Studies at Antioch College in Ohio, her master’s degree in Social Work at San Diego State University in 2004, and became licensed to practice therapy in 2013. She is comfortable working with many populations, including abuse and trauma survivors, youth and teens, seniors, clients in recovery, immigrants and refugees, LGBTQ+ clients, parents, and clients from various nationalities and cultures. Michelle’s therapeutic approach is nonjudgmental, person-centered, strengths-based, and eclectic.

She offers a relaxed, empathetic space where clients can safely express themselves. Michelle uses her rapport with clients to encourage positive self-change. Depending on each client’s needs, Michelle uses methods from the following, and other, therapeutic models: Psychodynamic, Cognitive-Behavioral, Humanistic/Person-centered, Motivational Interviewing, Brief Solution-focused, Mindfulness, Trauma-focused, Family Systems, Internal Family Systems, and Gottman Couples Therapy. Michelle enjoys working with diverse individuals of all cultures, lifestyles, ethnicities, spiritualities, sexualities, races, and gender identities. She collaborates with individuals, couples, and families to help them find the best solutions and resources to meet their specific therapeutic needs.