Michelle Cermeno, MSW, LSW, LCADC, CCS
Bilingual Licensed Social Worker, Licensed Clinical Alcohol & Drug Counselor, and Certified Clinical Supervisor
Michelle Cermeno is a bilingual Licensed Social Worker (LSW), Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LCADC), and Certified Clinical Supervisor (CCS) who provides therapy in both English and Spanish. With more than a decade of experience in mental health and substance use treatment, Michelle brings a compassionate, culturally responsive, and solution-focused approach to helping individuals and couples navigate emotional, relational, behavioral, and life challenges.
Michelle earned both her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Cognitive Neuroscience and her Master of Social Work (MSW) with a clinical concentration from Rutgers University. She also completed Addiction Counselor Training (ACT) through Rutgers University and has received specialized training and certifications in addiction and gambling counseling.
Throughout her career, Michelle has worked across a variety of behavioral health settings, including outpatient programs, methadone clinics, withdrawal management, residential treatment, adolescent programs, therapeutic communities, halfway houses, and Drug Court initiatives. Her experience includes working with adults, adolescents, families, and justice-involved populations while collaborating with multidisciplinary treatment teams and community-based systems.
Michelle specializes in working with anxiety, depression and mood disorders, ADHD, trauma, self-esteem concerns, relationship difficulties, major life transitions, and co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. She also has experience supporting individuals struggling with behavioral and process addictions, including problem gambling, sex addiction, and compulsive shopping or spending, as well as individuals healing from narcissistic abuse and unhealthy relationship dynamics.
Michelle primarily utilizes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) while integrating Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), mindfulness-based interventions, and other evidence-based approaches according to each client’s individual needs. She believes therapy should be collaborative and empowering, helping clients develop greater insight, strengthen emotional regulation, build effective coping skills, increase confidence, and recognize their ability to persevere through difficult experiences.
As a bilingual clinician, Michelle is passionate about making quality mental health and substance use treatment accessible to individuals from diverse backgrounds. She strives to provide a warm, nonjudgmental, and culturally responsive environment where clients feel comfortable exploring their experiences and working toward meaningful change.
Michelle is a clinician with Monarch Counseling Center, where she provides therapy to adults and couples in both English and Spanish. Drawing upon her extensive experience in mental health, addiction treatment, trauma, and recovery, Michelle is committed to helping clients strengthen their resilience, improve their relationships, develop greater self-awareness, and move toward healing, personal growth, and long-term wellness.