It’s time to invest in yourself.
I provide online therapy for high functioning anxious adults throughout California who are tired of living with constant worry, anxiety, overthinking, intrusive thoughts, & mental chatter. Together, we'll quiet the noise, calm your nervous system, and help you feel more present, energized, & connected through personalized, whole-person care.
Meet Michelle Pettengill, LCSW
Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of California
(LIC # 61308)
I want you to truly hear this:
Seeking help isn’t a sign of weakness—it’s a testament to your strength.
At the core of my approach to therapy is a belief that we work hard & play hard!
I believe therapy works best when we create safety first, move at a comfortable pace, and make space for both focused work AND lightness along the way. Humor and laughter are welcome here - they’re regulating for the nervous system and part of being human! Practicality, collaboration, and compassion are all woven into our sessions. We focus on real conversations, real tools, and real change - while honoring that healing does not need to feel heavy all the time to be effective. This is a space where you don’t have to perform, force, or prove yourself. You get to show up exactly as your are!
A Little About Me:
From a young age, I was drawn to people’s resilience. In 6th grade, my mom would take me to volunteer in soup kitchens and senior homes — and even then, I was in awe of the strength people carried, even in the toughest moments. That experience planted a seed: I knew I wanted to spend my life helping others feel seen, supported, and empowered to rise.
I’ve been a licensed therapist since 2014, and over the years I’ve had the privilege of working in many different spaces — from group homes to outpatient clinics, from dual diagnosis centers to in-home family support, and now in my own private practice via telehealth. I bring all of that real-world experience into the room when I meet with clients — because life is messy, and therapy should meet you where you are.
I am Certified in Exposure & Response Prevention (ERP), a highly effective approach for reducing obsessions, compulsions, and intrusive thoughts. I help clients gently & compassionately face these thoughts without fear, shame, or guilt, so that the mental chatter begins to quiet and life feels more grounded and enjoyable.
I’m also Certified in Nutrition for Mental Health and deeply passionate about helping people discover how food, sleep, and daily rhythms affect their mood, energy, and emotional regulation. If you’re feeling anxious, depleted, or burnt out — I want to help you find balance from the inside out.
BONUS: For those navigating the ups and downs of marriage, I offer 1:1 Marriage Coaching. As a Certified EFT for Couples (Emotionally Focused Therapy) practitioner, I work with busy couples to improve communication, rebuild emotional connection, and re-ignite the bond that brought them together. Whether you're trying to avoid divorce or simply feel like roommates — there is a path forward.
Regulate & Rise isn’t just a name — it’s a process. And I’m honored to walk that path with you.
Looking forward to connecting soon. 💛
Therapy with me is…
01 Honest
This is a safe space for real talk. We are honest about what is working, what is hard, and what feel stuck - without judgement or pressure to have it all figured out.
02 just a conversation
Sessions feel more like a grounded, meaningful conversation than a clinical checklist. We talk, we reflect, we laugh, and we slow things down enough to notice what your mind and body are actually saying.
03 individualized
There is no one-size-fits-all approach here. Your sessions are tailored to your nervous system, your life, and your goals - moving at a pace that feels supportive and sustainable for you.
04 fun - Yes really!
Healing doesn’t have to be heavy all the time. Laughter, lightness, and humor are welcome - they’re regulating, human, and often part of meaningful change.
From Surviving...to Regulate & Rise
Clients often come to therapy saying...
"I can't shut my brain off. It is so loud in there."
"I'm so exhausted all the time."
"I feel like I'm constantly on edge."
"I don't know why my stomach always hurts."
"I'm tired of overthinking all the time."
"I just want to feel like myself again."
And over time...
Those same clients often tell me...
💚 "I finally understand what my body has been trying to tell me."
💚 "I know how to calm my nervous system now."
💚 "I'm sleeping better than I have in years."
💚 "I don't feel stuck in survival mode anymore."
💚 "My relationships feel calmer because I'm calmer."
💚 "I can rely on myself again. I am more confident now."
That's the HEART of my work…
Helping you move from...
Constant worry → Greater peace
Overthinking → Mental clarity
Survival mode → Nervous system regulation
Exhaustion → Restored energy
Feeling disconnected → Feeling present
Self-criticism → Self-compassion
Simply getting through the day → Living with intention
LET’S REGULATE & RISE TOGETHER…
My background
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Certifications:
-Nutrition for Mental health
-Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) for OCD
-Emotional Focused Therapy (EFT) for Couples
Trained in:
-Trauma Informed
-Trauma Informed Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)
-Mindfulness CBT
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2002 Graduated from Regis University with Major in Sociology
2005 Graduated from San Jose State University with Masters in Social Work
2014 Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) #61308
