About me

Michelle Stantial, M.A., LPC-Associate
Supervised by Cynthia Nava, M.S., LPC-S

I came to counseling through a long career working alongside people in some of life's hardest circumstances — twenty years supporting medically fragile children and families navigating systems, loss, and the kind of exhaustion that doesn't show up on a résumé. That work shaped everything about how I practice.

I know what it looks like when someone has been strong for too long. I know the particular weight of caregiving — the love in it, and the depletion. I know that grief doesn't follow a timeline, and that the people around you often need you to be okay long before you actually are.

When I decided to become a licensed counselor, it wasn't a career pivot. It was the next natural step in work I'd already been doing for decades.

My approach is primarily cognitive-behavioral — practical, collaborative, and grounded in the belief that understanding your own patterns is the beginning of changing them. But more than any technique, what I bring to this work is genuine presence. I'm not going to rush you, minimize what you're carrying, or hand you a worksheet when what you need is to be heard.

I work with adults navigating grief and loss, and with caregivers who have spent so long tending to everyone else that they've lost track of themselves. If that sounds like you, I'd be honored to be in your corner.

Outside the office, I keep things simple — a good book, my next travel adventure, and time with my son, who keeps life grounded and interesting.

Experience in the areas of:

• Grief

• Parenting

• Asperger's Syndrome

• Autism

• Intellectual Disability

• Coping Skills

• Depression

• ADHD

• Caregiving Stress

• Life Transitions

• Anxiety

• Peer Relationships

• Relationship Issues

• Social Anxiety

• Stress

Media & Mentions

Michelle Stantial was recently quoted in Martha Stewart's article, “Having a Hobby Is More Important Than You Think.”...

Featured in MomsWhoThink – Quoted in "Avoid the Summer Slide: 7 Ways to Keep Your Kids Engaged Over the Summer" with tips on supporting children’s learning during school breaks.

Office

Waiting room

What is an LPC-Associate?

I have completed a rigorous master’s degree in counseling, which included extensive training in therapy techniques, assessments, and diagnostics, along with a minimum of 700 hours of hands-on counseling experience before graduation. After earning my degree, I passed a national licensing exam to become a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate (LPC-Associate).

At this stage, I am in my clinical supervision period, similar to a doctor in residency. Over at least 18 months, I will complete an additional 3,000 hours of supervised counseling experience. During this time, I work closely with my supervisor, Cynthia Nava, M.S., LPC-S, an experienced clinician who provides guidance and oversight to ensure the highest standard of care.

Cynthia can be reached at Willow & Sage Counseling

Phone: 713-955-4868

Fax: 832-240-3836

www.willowandsagecounseling.com

When you work with me, you receive not only my knowledge and experience but also the added benefit of my supervisor’s expertise. My goal is to create a warm and supportive space where you feel heard, understood, and empowered.

If you have any questions about the counseling process, supervision, or anything else, please don’t hesitate to ask. I’m here for you!