Michelle Venegoni-Vigil
Hello! My name is Michelle, and I'm a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Illinois. As a neurodivergent therapist myself, I'm especially passionate about working with neurodivergent individuals, particularly those with autism and ADHD. I also enjoy supporting individuals navigating disabilities, chronic illness, anxiety, social challenges, imposter syndrome, and life's many transitions. My approach to therapy is trauma-informed, neurodivergent-affirming, and LGBTQIA+ affirming. I strive to create a welcoming, nonjudgmental space where you can feel comfortable being yourself. I believe therapy should be collaborative, and my goal is to meet you where you are while helping you develop the tools and confidence to navigate life's challenges.
I believe in helping you embrace who you are, recognize your strengths, and navigate life's challenges at your own pace.
First session
Our first session will primarily focus on getting to know one another. I'll ask questions about what brought you to therapy, your background, and any challenges you may be experiencing. We'll also explore what you're hoping to gain from therapy and begin identifying goals that are meaningful to you. I understand that meeting a new therapist can feel intimidating, especially if you're unsure where to start or what to say. There's no expectation that you share everything right away, and it's perfectly okay if you don't have all the answers. My goal is to help you feel comfortable, heard, and understood while we begin building a foundation for our work together.
Strengths
I have a gentler approach to therapy. I'm naturally calm and soft-spoken, and I believe in leading with kindness, patience, and understanding. I strive to create a comfortable, nonjudgmental space where clients feel heard, validated, and accepted for who they are. My approach is strengths-based and collaborative. I enjoy helping clients recognize their own strengths, better understand themselves, and build confidence in their abilities. While I'm not overly assertive, I do believe in gently challenging unhelpful thought patterns and encouraging personal growth. I believe therapy should move at a pace that feels comfortable for you, while still helping you work toward your goals. I also believe that therapy is not one-size-fits-all. I welcome open communication and feedback, and I'm always willing to adapt my approach to better meet your individual needs. Whether you prefer gentle encouragement or more direct feedback, enjoy having homework between sessions or would rather focus on our time together, or find educational resources helpful, I'm happy to explore what works best for you. I recognize that you are the expert on your own experiences, and I believe therapy works best when we combine your insight with my clinical knowledge to create an approach that supports your goals.
Ideal clients
My ideal client is someone who may feel overwhelmed, misunderstood, or like they're constantly trying to meet expectations that don't quite work for them. I especially enjoy working with neurodivergent adults, particularly those with autism or ADHD, as well as individuals navigating chronic illness, disability, anxiety, self-esteem challenges, and imposter syndrome. You may struggle with managing everyday responsibilities, setting boundaries, navigating relationships, or feeling confident in who you are. Perhaps you're exhausted from trying to keep up with everyone else or feel like you're constantly falling short despite your best efforts. My goal is to help you better understand yourself, recognize your strengths, and develop practical strategies that work for your individual needs. I want to help you feel more comfortable being yourself while navigating life's challenges with greater confidence and self-compassion.
Treatment methods
Person-centered (Rogerian)
I use person-centered therapy by allowing you to take an active role in guiding our sessions. I listen carefully, ask questions to help you explore your thoughts and feelings, and reflect back what I'm hearing to help you gain a better understanding of yourself and your experiences. Rather than telling you what to do, I help you explore your options, recognize your strengths, and discover solutions that feel right for you. I also check in regularly to make sure our sessions are meeting your needs and that we're focusing on what's most important to you.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I use CBT techniques to help you better understand how your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are connected. Together, we may explore unhelpful thought patterns, examine the evidence behind those thoughts, and consider alternative perspectives. I also incorporate practical strategies to address challenges with executive functioning, such as organization, time management, and getting started on tasks. This might include breaking overwhelming tasks into smaller steps, developing realistic routines, and identifying barriers that may be holding you back. My goal is to help you develop a more balanced perspective while building practical skills that work for your individual needs and strengths.
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
I use principles of ACT to help you recognize the difference between what is within your control and what is not. Together, we work on learning to accept the things we cannot change while identifying ways to take meaningful action toward the things we can. I also help you explore how to navigate uncomfortable thoughts and emotions without allowing them to hold you back from living a fulfilling life. My goal is to help you focus your energy on what matters most to you while developing greater flexibility and self-compassion when facing life's challenges.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
I incorporate DBT-informed skills into my therapeutic approach to help you better understand and manage difficult or overwhelming emotions. Together, we work on recognizing emotional triggers, learning how to pause before reacting, and developing healthier ways to respond to stressful situations. I often introduce practical coping strategies, such as grounding exercises, mindfulness, and techniques to help calm your mind and body when emotions feel intense. While I incorporate DBT skills into our sessions, I do not offer a comprehensive or structured DBT program.
Location
Virtual sessions
Identifies as
Top specialties
Other specialties
Serves
Doesn't specialize in
Licensed in
- IllinoisLicense 149.024991