Marisela Cuellar-VanHouten, LMSW

Marisela Cuellar-VanHouten is a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) in Michigan with ten years providing individual therapy. She works with adults on trauma and abuse, mood concerns like bipolar and depression, anxiety and stress, grief, and relationship and intimacy issues. She also supports people wrestling with codependency, caregiver strain, chronic illness and sleep problems.

Her sessions focus on clear, practical conversation. She listens for what matters most and helps people name patterns that keep them stuck. Marisela uses talk, exercises, and simple skills practice rather than long lectures. Sessions aim to be straightforward and usable between appointments.

Her approach blends several methods. She uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to spot unhelpful thinking and test new behaviors. Mindfulness techniques help people notice stress and respond differently. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy is used to clarify values and guide action even with uncomfortable feelings.

Marisela identifies as an LGBTQ+ ally and pays attention to how culture affects each person. She has worked across settings for three decades, with a decade focused on individual therapy. That background informs a practical style that keeps the client's goals central.

People who prefer direct feedback and skill-based work often find this approach helpful. Marisela asks questions, points out patterns, and practices skills together in session so people leave with tools to try between meetings. If you want to understand repetitive people-pleasing or how to set firmer boundaries, she helps unpack those dynamics and plan next steps.

How her approaches translate to online work