Michelle Ikeda, LMFT
Bilingual marriage and family therapist
- Speaks English and Japanese
- Relationship and family focus
- Weekend and holiday availability
About Michelle Ikeda
Michelle Ikeda is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) based in California with 4 years of experience across social services and healthcare settings. She focuses on helping individuals and couples navigate differences in priorities, strengthen communication, and build clearer mutual understanding, drawing on a client-centered way of working that places each person's needs and perspective at the forefront.
Her background includes substantial work with children and families involved with the child welfare system, custody matters both in and out of court, legal guardianship concerns, and parenting challenges. Michelle has provided intensive case management services for caregivers and families as well as for elderly residents, especially family members of people with dementia living in convalescent facility settings. She brings particular interest and experience supporting family members of children and adults with developmental disabilities, including Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Raised in Japan, Michelle is bilingual in English and Japanese and carries a cultural sensibility shaped by modesty, humility, and attentiveness to others. Those values inform her therapeutic stance of respect, sensitivity, and compassion. Across her career she has worked with clients ranging in age from infants to older adults, and with culturally and linguistically diverse populations. In addition to a client-centered approach, she integrates evidence-based methods such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Solution-Focused Therapy to tailor care to each person's goals.
Michelle is especially passionate about addressing relationship and family dynamics, and she values hearing life stories from clients at every stage. Her regular availability is concentrated on weekends - from Friday evening through Sunday - and some holidays, with weekday evenings available on an as-needed basis for existing clients.
Her background includes substantial work with children and families involved with the child welfare system, custody matters both in and out of court, legal guardianship concerns, and parenting challenges. Michelle has provided intensive case management services for caregivers and families as well as for elderly residents, especially family members of people with dementia living in convalescent facility settings. She brings particular interest and experience supporting family members of children and adults with developmental disabilities, including Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Raised in Japan, Michelle is bilingual in English and Japanese and carries a cultural sensibility shaped by modesty, humility, and attentiveness to others. Those values inform her therapeutic stance of respect, sensitivity, and compassion. Across her career she has worked with clients ranging in age from infants to older adults, and with culturally and linguistically diverse populations. In addition to a client-centered approach, she integrates evidence-based methods such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Solution-Focused Therapy to tailor care to each person's goals.
Michelle is especially passionate about addressing relationship and family dynamics, and she values hearing life stories from clients at every stage. Her regular availability is concentrated on weekends - from Friday evening through Sunday - and some holidays, with weekday evenings available on an as-needed basis for existing clients.
Areas of Expertise
Also Specializes In
Additional Focus Areas
Adoption and foster careAging and geriatric issuesAutism and Asperger SyndromeBlended family issuesCaregiver issues and stressChronic pain, illness, and disabilityCommitment issuesCommunication problemsCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDivorce and separationEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFatherhood issuesFertility issuesFirst responder issuesGuilt and shameHoardingHospice and end-of-life counselingImmigration issuesInfidelityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeMidlife crisisMood disordersMulticultural concernsPanic disorder and panic attacksPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressPregnancy and childbirthSelf-loveWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues
Therapeutic Approach
Client-Centered Therapy Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Motivational Interviewing Solution-Focused Therapy
Frequently Asked Questions
How much experience does Michelle Ikeda have?
Michelle Ikeda has 4 years of experience.
Is Michelle Ikeda a licensed therapist?
Yes. She is an LMFT, which stands for Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. License details: CA LMFT 135802.
In which languages does Michelle Ikeda provide therapy?
She provides therapy in English and Japanese.
Where is Michelle Ikeda located?
She is located in California.
How can I work with Michelle Ikeda as my therapist?
Clients can work with Michelle Ikeda through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.
Does Michelle Ikeda work with international clients?
Michelle Ikeda does not currently work with international clients.
How much does therapy with Michelle Ikeda cost?
The cost of therapy can vary depending on factors such as a client's location and the therapist's availability. Sessions are billed through a subscription that can be canceled at any time, for any reason. For current details, click the Start Therapy button on this page.
How can I get started with therapy?
Getting started with therapy is quick and straightforward. Click the Start Therapy button and complete a short questionnaire that helps match clients with a therapist. Depending on availability, clients can then schedule their first session, which may take place by phone, video call, live chat, or in-app messaging.
Could online therapy be a fit for your needs?
Many people ask whether working with a therapist remotely can make a meaningful difference. For a range of common concerns - including stress, anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, and major life transitions - online therapy has been shown to be comparable in effectiveness to traditional in-person sessions.One clear benefit is flexibility. Clients can meet with licensed professionals in the format that works best for them, whether that is a video call, a phone session, live chat, or in-app messaging. This adaptability can make it easier to fit therapy into busy schedules, maintain continuity during life changes, and access care from different locations.
Licensed therapists offer a variety of approaches and clients may switch providers if they need a different fit. For many people, online therapy provides an accessible and practical way to begin addressing concerns and pursuing personal or relational goals with professional support.