Eli Michael (they/them)

LCSW, CDC I
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We welcome people from all backgrounds, identities, and experiences—because everyone deserves a space where they can heal and grow.

Licensed Clinical Social Worker in , AK

Services
  • Individual
  • Group

About My Clients

Feeling stuck? Overwhelmed? Unsure what comes next? You’re not alone. At Thriving Within, LLC, we offer therapy, mental health services, and assessments that honor each person’s unique story and strengths. Healing looks different for everyone—and our work begins with understanding you. Our approach is individualized, trauma-informed, and healing-centered, designed to help you reconnect with your sense of agency, balance, and possibility.

My Background and Approach

Immediate availability to see a pre-licensed Master level clinician, private pay only with reduced rates. Please email for more information. At Thriving Within, we use an eclectic approach of Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), Trauma Focused Cognitive Therapy (TF-CBT), Dialectic Behavior Therapy (DBT), mindfulness and Attachment, Regulation, and Competency (ARC) therapy to help people reach their therapeutic goal. Our framework develops from a Humanist approach grounded in Queer theory. We offer individualized approaches that are client-centered and healing-centered-engagement. Prior to graduate school, Eli worked in the outdoor industry in various states and jobs, most recently in the ski industry as a ski/snowboard instructor and ski patroller. Their love of the outdoors continues with beginning their social work career in wilderness behavioral health. Connecting people to themselves and others as well as outside supports has been a foundational piece throughout their work.

My Personal Beliefs and Interests

Connection to others is a fundamental human need and one that I work daily towards. Feeling connected, wanted and belonging gives me a sense of purpose and belief in myself. While volunteering is one way I have filled the need, it wasn't always feasible or easy. Since accepting and affirming myself as queer and trans/non-binary I have found a place in the queer community to volunteer or engage in community events. I believe that everyone belongs and is needed in community. My volunteer work currently is with the LGBTQ community and holding space/groups for people. I enjoy connecting people and co-run a community support group. One of my favorite activities is table sitting at events and handing out smiles, stickers and pronoun pins. Visibility is important to me. My partner and I enjoy spending time outside with our two Great Pyrenees dogs and coming home to 3 cats and our garden where we spend the rest of our time.

Techniques I Use

Specialties
Attachment Theory Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Somatic Therapy: Body-Based Healing for Emotional Trauma
Other Techniques
  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
  • Addiction Counseling
  • Attachment Theory
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
  • Culturally Sensitive Therapy
  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
  • Eclectic Therapy
  • Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)
  • Harm Reduction Therapy
  • Motivational Interviewing
  • Narrative Therapy
  • Nonviolent Communication
  • Solution Focused Brief Therapy
  • Somatic Therapy: Body-Based Healing for Emotional Trauma
  • Person-Centered (Rogerian)

Issues I Treat

Specialties
Attachment Gender Identity Therapy Historical/ Intergenerational Trauma
Other Issues
  • Abuse
  • Addiction
  • ADHD Therapists
  • Aging Concerns
  • Anxiety
  • Attachment
  • Bipolar
  • Burnout
  • Codependency
  • Depression
  • Dissociative Disorders
  • Gender Identity Therapy
  • Grief or Loss
  • Historical/ Intergenerational Trauma
  • LGBTQ-Friendly Therapists
  • Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)
  • Polyamorous and Open Relationships
  • Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
  • Pregnancy and Postpartum
  • Self-Esteem
  • Self-Harm
  • Sexual Abuse or Assault
  • Suicidal Thoughts
  • Systemic Oppression Therapy
  • Teen Issues
Insurance Plans Accepted
  • Out of Network
  • Aetna
  • Cigna
  • First Choice Health
  • United Healthcare
  • EBMS
  • Government Employee Health Associations (GEHA)
  • Premera Blue Cross
  • AARP
  • ChampVA
  • Blue Cross
  • Denali Kid Care
  • Evernorth
I offer online counseling in the following states:

At A Glance

  • Experience: 8 years of practice
  • Languages: English
  • Rate: $150 - 275/session

Reach out to Eli