Marisela Cuellar-VanHouten

Marisela Cuellar-VanHouten is a licensed master social worker (LMSW) based in Michigan who helps people facing anger, trauma, depression, anxiety, and stress. She also supports those coping with bipolar disorder, chronic illness or pain, caregiver burnout, and grief. She approaches conversations with respect and compassion and aims to tailor care to each person's needs.

With ten years of direct clinical experience providing individual therapy, Marisela shapes sessions around what matters most to the client. She pays attention to cultural background and identifies as an LGBTQ+ ally. Her style is practical and person-focused, aiming to build confidence and motivation while addressing current problems.

Marisela draws on several evidence-informed approaches to guide work in sessions. She uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to help people notice thoughts and choose value-driven action. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is used to identify patterns that maintain distress and to practice alternative habits. Mindfulness and Dialectical Behavior Therapy skills are introduced when people need tools for emotion regulation and tolerating strong feelings.

Sessions are collaborative and paced to the client’s readiness. Marisela emphasizes clear goals, steady skill-building, and steady support during life transitions or crises. She works to empower people to make changes that fit their daily life.

For practical next steps, those interested follow the site’s intake flow to match with her, complete a short questionnaire, and schedule according to availability. Costs vary with location and use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.

How her approaches shape online work

Marisela uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy as two main ways to guide online sessions. ACT helps people notice unhelpful thoughts and choose actions that match their values, which can be useful for anger, grief, and life changes. CBT breaks down patterns of thinking and behavior that keep problems going and includes practical exercises to try between meetings.

Finding the right approach is part of the process. She will collaborate with each person to decide which methods fit their goals, needs, and day-to-day life. That decision can change over time as new issues come up or progress is made.

Session formats are not specified in the biography, so confirm current options before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy schedule, reduce travel time, or allow shorter check-ins when days are tight. It also lets people practice skills in the settings where problems happen and return to ideas between meetings.