Exploring Life & Business with Natalia Michaelson of Therapy With Natalia

Today we’d like to introduce you to Natalia Michaelson.

Hi Natalia, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My interest in becoming a therapist began when I was very young through my own experience as a therapy client. I recall the therapy space feeling so special and meaningful. I was blown away that holding such a supportive space for others could be someone’s job, and I knew I wanted to offer that someday too.

As I grew up, my curiosity about people only deepened. I wanted to understand emotions, human behavior, and relationship dynamics. I found myself drawn to others’ stories, and fascinated by the science behind development and connection. Internally, I was a deeply empathetic and emotional kid with a strong pull toward advocacy and justice.

This led me to pursue a Bachelor’s in Psychology and work in people-centered roles. After some time in the workforce, I felt called to return to my original dream of becoming a therapist. When I entered my Master’s in Social Work program, everything clicked. I knew I was where I needed to be.

After working in nonprofit mental health, eating disorder treatment, and group private practices, I eventually opened my own private practice. I’m grateful to offer care that centers client autonomy and truly meets people where they are in their healing.

My education, life experiences, personal therapy, and the relationships with different people along the way, have all influenced the therapist I am today. For me, the learning and self-growth never ends. I’m committed to continually learning from myself, my community, and the people I have the privilege of sitting with.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road hasn’t been smooth, but the lessons along the way have been invaluable both professionally and personally. Becoming the therapist I am today has required a lot of learning and unlearning, reflection, and constant adapting.

One of my biggest challenges was feeling like I had to “do it all.” I wanted to learn every modality, apply them perfectly, and have something meaningful to offer every single person I worked with. Over time, I realized I don’t have to know everything and that sometimes not knowing and staying curious leads to the most meaningful and impactful moments. I also learned that I don’t have to be the right therapist for everyone. The therapeutic relationship is rooted in authentic connection, not perfection or trying to be everything for everyone.

A key part of my growth has been learning balance. Taking care of myself is essential if I want to show up fully and authentically for my clients. I’ve also had to balance my eagerness to learn with slowing down, taking things in, and being present. These challenges have shaped me into a more grounded and authentic therapist and person.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Therapy With Natalia?
Therapy With Natalia is a private practice devoted to providing compassionate, quality care for people who feel deeply, have been labeled “sensitive,” or struggle with belonging in their relationships or in the world. My work focuses on helping those who care for everyone else finally experience the same care, compassion, and space they instinctually give to others.

I provide in-person therapy in Mission Viejo, CA, as well as virtual therapy for clients residing in California, Massachusetts, and Ohio. I specialize in working with adults who think, feel, and love deeply- yet struggle with food, anxiety, and the weight of relational wounds. Many of my clients are highly attuned to the needs of others, but often feel disconnected from their own emotions and/or needs. Together, we improve their relationship with themselves through compassion, clarity, connection, and care.

As a BIPoC and multiracial therapist, I hold both my professional and lived experience in this work, while honoring the uniqueness of each person’s identities and story. Representation, attunement, and offering a space where people don’t have to explain or shrink parts of themselves matter deeply to me.

Therapy with me is relational and client-led. I value building a therapeutic connection rooted in authenticity, humanity, trust, and honesty, while honoring your pace, readiness, and voice. My approach is collaborative, non-judgmental, and deeply attuned. I primarily use Internal Family Systems (IFS) in my work, which I’ve found to be a powerful and compassionate way to support healing and nurture a more caring internal relationship. I also practice from a social justice and feminist lens, acknowledging that our experiences do not exist in a silo, they’re shaped by the systems and cultures around us.

In addition to individual therapy, I offer family and couples therapy for adult family members or partners, including those living in different states, who are navigating relationship ruptures, communication challenges, or eating disorder-related concerns.

I’m proud of creating a therapeutic space where clients feel truly seen, safe to be their authentic selves, and supported in healing from harmful narratives that have been internalized.

So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
Cultivating an environment of safety and trust matters most to me. I don’t believe clients owe me their safety or trust; those are earned, not expected. My intention is to create a space that feels as safe, grounding, and trustworthy as possible. For many of my clients, the world hasn’t felt safe for a variety of reasons. I aim to be a soft place to land and a reparative relational experience, while also supporting clients in building a sense of safety and trust within themselves.

Safety and trust create the conditions for deeper healing. Many of the concerns my clients carry around their bodies, food, relationships, and sense of self are rooted in ruptures of self-trust. These ruptures often stem from life experiences, oppressive systems, and relationships that taught them to disconnect from their inner wisdom. When internal trust and safety begin to strengthen, people are able to show up for themselves in more grounded, empowered, and compassionate ways.

To me, safety and self-trust are not all-or-nothing. They exist on a continuum. The work is about slowly expanding a person’s capacity to feel safer within themselves and to trust their inner voice more fully over time.

Pricing:

• Individual Therapy: $225/session
• Family/Couples Therapy: $275/session

Contact Info:

• Website: https://therapywithnatalia.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therapy_with_natalia/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/therapywithnatalia#