Octave
Michelle Stevens avatar
PHDshe/her

Michelle Stevens

VirtualHigh Satisfaction Rate

4 years of experience

Verified by Octave
In California
Accepting 8 Insurance providers

Meet Michelle

I have been helping people heal, learn, and grow for more than 20 years, with particular expertise in childhood trauma, PTSD, and dissociative disorders. I am a psychotherapist, coach, teacher, and author of the best-selling book \*Scared Selfless\*, which explores the aftereffects of child abuse and how to heal from it. My greatest gift as a therapist is my well-founded optimism. I know that no matter how bad things may currently seem, my clients can overcome obstacles, process pain, and move on to happier, healthier, more purposeful lives. I believe that all people have an innate capacity to grow into their authentic selves; they simply need the right conditions. I pride myself on offering clients an experience that is validating, accepting, nurturing, and supportive. My writing on psychological trauma has appeared in periodicals such as the New York Times, Time, People, Good Housekeeping, The Huffington Post, and Psychology Today, and I have been featured on Dr. Phil, The Dr. Oz Show, and in People magazine.

I know that no matter how bad things may currently seem, my clients can overcome obstacles, process pain, and move on to happier, healthier, more purposeful lives.

Communication Style

  • Action-oriented
  • Mindful
  • Direct

Specialties & Approaches

Specialties

Focus Areas

  • BIPOC
  • Asian / Pacific Islander community
  • Parents

Approach

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
  • Couples [The Gottman Method]
  • Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy (ERP or EXRP)
  • Interpersonal Psychotherapy
  • Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)
  • Prolonged Exposure
  • Relational
  • Solution-Focused

Licensed In

Locations

Virtual appointments available for California residents

Good to know

Session Details

Practices in

Languages

Additional

Interests

Credentials & Verification

Verified by Octave

License number

Education

Michelle Stevens, PhD in Psychology License #33793 (exp November 2026)

Calculate Cost & Insurance

$28

/ session on average with insurance

Frequently asked questions

Michelle Stevens accepts Anthem Blue Cross of CA, Out-of-State BlueCard PPO, Health Net, Aetna, Prime Health, Centivo, Blue Shield of California, and Cigna Healthcare/Evernorth. Octave clients pay an average of $28 per session through insurance, and more than 95% pay less than $45 per session. Your exact cost depends on your plan’s copay or deductible. You can use the cost estimator to see what you would pay before your first session. If you would rather pay out of pocket, self-pay sessions in California are estimated at $205-250 per session.

Michelle Stevens is a PhD in Psychology (PHD). Michelle is licensed to practice in California, so clients located in California can book sessions. Michelle’s California license number is 33793, and you can look it up through the state licensing board. Octave verifies every therapist’s license before they begin seeing clients, and licenses are kept current as a condition of practicing with Octave.

Michelle Stevens has been practicing therapy for 4 years. Michelle’s education and training include PhD - Clinical Psychology, Saybrook University. Over that time, Michelle has worked closely with BIPOC, Asian / Pacific Islander community, and Parents.

Michelle Stevens works with BIPOC, Asian / Pacific Islander community, and Parents and specializes in Anxiety, Burnout, Couples Therapy, Depression, Family Conflict, Grief, Life Transitions, Panic, Phobias, Self-Harm, Sexual Assault/Sexual Abuse, Stress, Trauma, and Women's Issues. These are the areas where Michelle spends most of their clinical time. Michelle also sees couples together in joint sessions. If the concern you want help with isn’t listed here, a Care Navigator can tell you whether Michelle is a good fit or match you with another Octave therapist who specializes in it.

Michelle Stevens draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Couples [The Gottman Method], Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy (ERP or EXRP), Interpersonal Psychotherapy, Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), Prolonged Exposure, Relational, Solution-Focused, and Strengths-Based. In sessions, Michelle’s style is action-oriented, mindful, and direct. In Michelle’s words: “I know that no matter how bad things may currently seem, my clients can overcome obstacles, process pain, and move on to happier, healthier, more purposeful lives.”

Michelle Stevens (she/her) offers therapy in English. Michelle identifies as White.

Michelle Stevens offers online sessions over secure video, so you can meet from home or any private space. Michelle is licensed in California, and you need to be located in that state at the time of each session. All you need is a device with a camera and a stable internet connection.

Your first session with Michelle Stevens is a chance to talk through what brought you to therapy and what you want to work on. Michelle will ask about your background, your current concerns, and your goals, and together you will start shaping a plan for your sessions. It is also a chance to see whether Michelle’s style feels like a good fit for you. After their first session, 9 in 10 Octave clients say their therapy experience has been good or better.

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Ready to start with Michelle?

Most new clients have their first session within a week. You can change therapists at any time, at no cost.