Marisela Cuellar-VanHouten, LMSW - Therapist in Michigan

Anger management skills
Mindfulness practice
CBT and ACT techniques

About Marisela

Marisela Cuellar-VanHouten is a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) practicing in Michigan with ten years of direct individual therapy experience. She works with people dealing with trauma and abuse, depression, bipolar concerns, caregiver stress and burnout, grief, anxiety, and anger. She also supports concerns tied to sleep, self-esteem, career strain, and LGBTQ+ related issues. Sessions are conducted in English.

She uses straightforward, person-focused conversation to identify what causes distress and what helps reduce it. Techniques draw from cognitive behavioral methods and mindfulness to help people notice unhelpful thoughts and try different responses. Marisela also brings client-centered and acceptance and commitment therapy ideas to help clients clarify values and take manageable steps toward them.

In practical terms she helps people build skills for emotional regulation, improve communication, and manage stress that interferes with daily life. For someone struggling with anger, she works on recognizing triggers, practicing de-escalation strategies, and developing alternative actions that fit personal values. Therapy often includes short homework or brief exercises to practice between sessions.

Marisela is mindful of culture and identity and identifies as an LGBTQ+ ally. She pays attention to how background and life role affect stress and coping. Her work includes support around chronic illness, caregiving challenges, and the effects of trauma on day-to-day functioning.

Clients start by answering a short matching questionnaire and then schedule an initial meeting to set goals. Costs vary by location, and sessions are provided through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

How her approaches translate to online sessions

Marisela uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people notice and test unhelpful thoughts, then try small behavior changes that reduce stress and anger. CBT is practical and focused on skills that are useful between appointments.

She also draws on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) ideas, which help people clarify their values and take actions that matter to them even when feelings are strong. Mindfulness techniques are used alongside these approaches to build awareness of bodily signs and early warning signals of anger.

Finding the right mix of methods is part of the work. She will collaborate with each person to choose practices and pacing that fit goals, needs, and daily life. Clients decide what to try and how fast to move toward change.

The original biography does not list specific online session formats. Please confirm current session options before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy schedule, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and reduce travel time so therapy fits around work or caregiving demands.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Trauma and abuseParenting issuesBipolar disorderDepression Coping with life changes

Also works with

Stress, AnxietyLGBTRelationship issuesFamily conflictsGriefIntimacy-related issuesSleeping disordersAnger managementSelf esteemCareer difficultiesCoachingCompassion fatigue ADHD

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAging and geriatric issuesAntisocial personalityAutism and Asperger SyndromeAvoidant personalityBlended family issuesBody imageCaregiver issues and stress Chronic pain, illness, and disability CodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problems Control issuesCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDependent personalityDissociationDivorce and separation Domestic violenceFamily problemsFatherhood issues First responder issues Forgiveness Guilt and shameHospice and end-of-life counselingImpulsivity Infidelity Isolation / loneliness Jealousy Men's issues Midlife crisis Veteran and Armed Forces Issues Mood disordersMulticultural concernsNarcissismObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPanic disorder and panic attacksParanoiaPersonality disordersPost-traumatic stressPrejudice and discriminationSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-loveSex addictionSexual assault and abuseSocial anxiety and phobiaTrichotillomaniaWomen's issuesWorkplace issues Young adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Mindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingNarrative TherapySolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused Therapy

Experience

10+ years

Listed in

Michigan

Languages

English

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns does she help with?

She helps people with trauma and abuse, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, anger, sleep problems, caregiver stress, grief, self-esteem, career strain, and related issues.

What is her general approach in sessions?

She combines client-centered listening with cognitive behavioral and mindfulness-based techniques to identify patterns and practice alternative responses.

How much experience does she have?

She has ten years of direct individual therapy experience and three decades of broader professional work.

What credential and location does she hold?

She is a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) practicing in Michigan.

Which languages are sessions offered in?

Sessions are offered in English.

Does she accept international clients?

International clients are not currently accepted.

How are sessions priced?

Cost varies with location; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.

How do I begin working with her?

Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.