About William Michelson
Focus areas
Adult Psychotherapy
Men's Mental Health Issues
Relational Therapy
Anxiety
Psychodynamic Therapy
Therapy
Depression
Psychotherapy
Clientele seen
Children (<13)
Adults (25-64)
Couples
Teenagers (13-17)
Seniors (65+)
Families
Young adults (18-24)
Individuals
Groups
Treatment approaches
Acceptance and Commitment (ACT)
Christian Counseling
Applied Behavioral Analysis
Clinical Supervision and Licensed Supervisors
Attachment-based
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Identity
Gender
MaleFaith
ChristianLanguages spoken
English
Getting to know William Michelson
Most people arrive at therapy not because they are falling apart, but because something is not adding up. The life they are living does not quite match the life they sense is possible. They are functioning, often well, and yet there is a persistent exhaustion, a disconnection, a feeling that the surface has been managed long enough and something deeper is asking for attention.
That is where this work begins.
I am Will Michelson, LMFT, founder of Embark Therapy in West Los Angeles. My approach is depth oriented and psychodynamic, which means we go beneath the symptoms to understand what is generating them. The anxiety, the relational patterns that keep repeating, the grief that was never fully felt, the parts of yourself that have quietly gone unexamined. Together we follow those threads inward, toward the emotional roots of your struggles and the kind of change that does not require constant maintenance.
This is not therapy that offers shallow fixes or a predetermined path. It is therapy that takes seriously who you are, where you came from, and what your inner life has been quietly asking for. The work is collaborative, unhurried, and shaped entirely around you.
What becomes possible on the other side is not just relief. It is a richer, more honest relationship with yourself, your emotions, and the people around you. A different way of moving through the world, grounded in genuine self understanding and emotional expression rather than the management of symptoms. That is what I am here to help you find.
What should a new client know about working with you?
Sessions at Embark are unhurried and exploratory. There is no rigid protocol, no homework assigned at the end of each hour, no checklist of symptoms to work through. We begin where you are and follow what emerges, moving at the pace that allows for real insight and catharsis rather than performance.
I bring genuine curiosity, warmth, and clinical depth to every session. My training spans psychodynamic and depth oriented therapy, relational and attachment frameworks, and somatic awareness, shaped in part by my background in kinesiology and years of experience as an athletic coach. I trained clinically at The Maple Counseling Center in Los Angeles and studied psychology and theology at Fuller Theological Seminary, which gives me a particular fluency in working at the intersection of psychological depth and spiritual life.
I work with adults navigating anxiety, depression, grief, life transitions, relational difficulty, identity questions, and much more. I also offer specialized care for men, women, professionals, young adults, older adults, athletes, and those for whom faith is a meaningful part of their inner world.
New clients can expect to feel genuinely heard from the first session. I do not believe the therapeutic relationship is simply the container for the work. In many cases, for many people, it is the work itself. The experience of being truly known by another person, without judgment is one of the most healing things that can happen in a human life.
What is your typical process for working with clients?
We begin with a free 15-minute phone consultation to get a sense of what brings you to therapy and whether working together feels like the right fit. There is no preparation required and no obligation. Just an honest conversation.
From there, we meet weekly for 45-minute sessions, in person at my office in West Los Angeles or online via secure telehealth across California. I am often able to begin seeing new clients within a week of that first call.
The early sessions are oriented around building trust and understanding. We take time to explore your history, what has brought you to this point, and what you are hoping for from the work. As the therapeutic relationship deepens, we move into more substantive territory, following the threads of your inner life toward the emotional roots of your struggles and the patterns that have shaped how you relate to yourself and others.
The work is collaborative throughout. You set the pace. I bring clinical depth, genuine curiosity, and the kind of honest, careful attention that allows you to see what you might not be able to see on your own.
This is not a quick process, and I do not offer it as one. Depth oriented therapy asks something of you. But for those willing to go beneath the surface and stay there long enough for something real to emerge, what becomes possible is not just feeling better. It is becoming more fully yourself.
Out-of-pocket fees and assistance
Initial session: $250 for 45 minutes
Ongoing session: $250 for 45 minutes
- Sliding scale: Offers lower out-of-pocket fees on an individual basis, typically based on your ability to pay
- Files your insurance claim: You pay the session fee upfront and the provider files the claim for you, so you can get reimbursed directly without worrying about the paperwork
Office location
William Michelson, LMFT also offers online video visits for patients
Education and background
Practice names
Education and training
- Fuller Theological Seminary, Master's in Marriage and Family Therapy
NPI number
1306627187
How soon can I make an appointment with William Michelson?
Generally, William Michelson has appointments available on Zocdoc within 1 week. You can see William Michelson's earliest availability on Zocdoc and make an appointment online.
Is William Michelson accepting new patients?
William Michelson generally accepts new patients on Zocdoc. You can see William Michelson's earliest availability on Zocdoc and schedule an appointment online.
Does William Michelson accept my insurance?
Choose your insurance plan to verify if William Michelson is in-network.
Can I make an appointment with William Michelson online?
Yes, you can make an appointment online with William Michelson using Zocdoc. It’s simple, secure, and free.
What practice does William Michelson work with?
William Michelson works with Embark Therapy.
Where is William Michelson's office located?
William Michelson has 2 office locations in Los Angeles, view full addresses on William Michelson's profile.
What are common reasons for patients to see William Michelson?
William Michelson frequently sees patients for Depression, New Patient Visit, Pain Management Consultation, Psychotherapy, and Psychotherapy Intake / Initial Visit. You can see other visit reasons for William Michelson on their profile.
What languages does William Michelson speak?
William Michelson speaks English.