Vanessa Stafford, LMSW
Michigan LMSW helping relationships and trauma
- Relationship and family focus
- Trauma and addiction care
- Client-centered evidence-based therapy
About Vanessa Stafford
Vanessa Stafford is a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) practicing in Michigan with more than 40 years of clinical experience. She works with individuals and couples who want to regain connection, resolve confusion, or reduce discord in their relationships by examining personal histories and recurring behavior patterns that can erode closeness. Vanessa combines listening with practical interventions to help clients uncover behaviors they may not notice and to identify tools that promote healthier, more balanced relationships.
Her training and experience focus on relationship work, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, and related concerns such as addictions, grief, and parenting challenges. She has experience in batterer intervention and in helping couples set boundaries while working toward greater respect and intimacy. Vanessa often supports clients in identifying past complex trauma that can influence present relationships and in developing strategies to move forward.
Vanessa approaches each person as the expert of their own story and emphasizes strengths-based, goal-oriented work. She supports motivated clients who are ready to make changes, offering structured sessions and practical techniques designed to foster progress. Throughout her practice she aims to empower people as they explore parts of themselves they may not have known and to help them move toward more fulfilling lives.
Vanessa Stafford, LMSW (Licensed Master Social Worker).
Her training and experience focus on relationship work, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, and related concerns such as addictions, grief, and parenting challenges. She has experience in batterer intervention and in helping couples set boundaries while working toward greater respect and intimacy. Vanessa often supports clients in identifying past complex trauma that can influence present relationships and in developing strategies to move forward.
Vanessa approaches each person as the expert of their own story and emphasizes strengths-based, goal-oriented work. She supports motivated clients who are ready to make changes, offering structured sessions and practical techniques designed to foster progress. Throughout her practice she aims to empower people as they explore parts of themselves they may not have known and to help them move toward more fulfilling lives.
Vanessa Stafford, LMSW (Licensed Master Social Worker).
Areas of Expertise
Primary Focus
Also Specializes In
AddictionsLGBTGriefIntimacy-related issuesSleeping disordersParenting issuesSelf esteemBipolar disorderDepressionCoping with life changesCompassion fatigueADHD
Additional Focus Areas
AbandonmentAdoption and foster careAging and geriatric issuesAntisocial personalityAvoidant personalityBlended family issuesCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsDependent personalityDisruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)Divorce and separationDomestic violenceDrug and alcohol addictionFamily problemsFirst responder issuesGuilt and shameImpulsivityInfidelityIsolation / lonelinessMidlife crisisMood disordersObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPanic disorder and panic attacksParanoiaPersonality disordersPhobiasPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressSexual assault and abuseSocial anxiety and phobiaWomen's issuesYoung adult issues
Therapeutic Approach
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Client-Centered Therapy Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) Mindfulness Therapy Motivational Interviewing Psychodynamic Therapy Solution-Focused Therapy Trauma-Focused Therapy
Frequently Asked Questions
How much experience does Vanessa Stafford have?
Vanessa Stafford has 40 years of professional experience.
Is Vanessa Stafford a licensed therapist?
Yes. She holds an LMSW (Licensed Master Social Worker). License details: MI LMSW 6801019488.
In which languages does Vanessa Stafford provide therapy?
She provides therapy in English.
Where is Vanessa Stafford located?
Vanessa Stafford is based in Michigan.
How can I work with Vanessa Stafford as my therapist?
You can work with Vanessa Stafford through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.
Does Vanessa Stafford work with international clients?
Vanessa Stafford does not currently work with international clients.
How much does therapy with Vanessa Stafford cost?
The cost of therapy can vary depending on factors such as your location and the therapist's availability. Sessions are billed through a subscription that can be canceled at any time, for any reason. For current details, click the "Start Therapy" button on this page.
How can I get started with therapy?
Getting started with therapy is quick and straightforward. Click the "Start Therapy" button and complete a short questionnaire that helps match you with your therapist. Depending on availability, you can then schedule your first session, which may take place by phone, video call, live chat, or in-app messaging.
Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care with Vanessa Stafford
Vanessa draws on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help clients notice difficult thoughts and feelings without getting stuck in them and to clarify values that guide meaningful action - an approach that can be helpful for stress, anxiety, and coping with life changes. She also uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to identify and shift unhelpful thinking patterns and behaviors, which can support work on depression, anxiety, and relationship conflicts. In addition, Vanessa incorporates Client-Centered Therapy principles that prioritize empathy, respect, and the client’s own goals to create a supportive environment for growth and healing.Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Vanessa collaborates with each person to determine which methods best match their needs, goals, and preferences, adapting strategies over time so therapy remains responsive and practical. This collaborative process helps clients feel involved in shaping their path forward.
Online therapy offers flexibility for people balancing work, family, and other responsibilities. Through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, clients can access sessions in ways that fit their schedules and comfort levels. Licensed professionals can deliver these approaches effectively online, making therapy accessible to those who need support from different locations or who prefer remote options.