About

With over 20 years of experience as a School Social Worker and nearly 20 years as a Licensed

Clinical Social Worker, Michelle is deeply committed to helping individuals and families navigate

the challenging process of divorce with compassion and professionalism. Michelle is a member

of the Amicable Divorce Network, National Association of Social Workers, a fellow of Collaborative Divorce Illinois,

 a member of the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals, and a member of the

Association of Family and Conciliation Courts. She has completed specialized training in

mediation through Northwestern University and Collaborative Divorce Training through the

Tampa Bay Institute. Michelle also has extensive training in Domestic Violence and Intimate

Partner Violence and has served on the board of the Northwest Coalition Against Sexual

Assault.

Having grown up in the diverse North Shore suburbs of Chicago, Michelle developed a unique

ability to understand and appreciate the experiences of people from all walks of life. This

upbringing, combined with extensive professional experience, allows Michelle to connect with

clients from various backgrounds and provide the support they need, no matter their situation.

As someone who understands the importance of maintaining normalcy during times of

transition, Michelle recognizes that the impact of divorce extends far beyond the finalization of

paperwork. Divorce can leave both emotional and logistical challenges in its wake, especially for

children and families with neurodiverse needs. Michelle has worked with countless families,

guiding them through divorce in ways that minimize conflict and reduce the long-term impact on

everyone involved.

Specializing in collaborative divorce and mediation, Michelle is passionate about helping clients

resolve their issues outside of the courtroom, saving both time and money. By acting as a

divorce coach, parenting/co-parenting coach, child specialist, therapist, or parent coordinator,

Michelle works alongside a team of professionals to help restructure families in a healthy,

sustainable way. Alternative Dispute Resolutions (ADR) offer a powerful alternative to the adversarial litigation
process, allowing couples to maintain control over their decisions and avoid the financial strain of

traditional divorce proceedings.

In addition to divorce coaching and mediation, Michelle has deep expertise in co-parenting

issues, parenting plans, and addressing post-decree matters. She also has experience working

with high-net-worth families. Michelle provides therapeutic services for adults and children of

divorce, helping them navigate emotional and psychological challenges before, during, and after

the process. As a bilingual professional fluent in both English and Spanish, Michelle is able to

offer services to a wide range of families.

Michelle is driven by a deep passion for helping individuals rebuild their lives after divorce. By

partnering with clients and other professionals such as attorneys and financial neutrals, Michelle

works as a compass, guiding them through the process while respecting their autonomy and

decisions. Whether helping families with neurodiverse needs, navigating co-parenting dynamics,

or finding creative solutions through collaborative divorce and/or mediation, Michelle strives to

create the best possible future for families.