Michelle Cermeno, MSW, LSW, LCADC, CCS
Bilingual Licensed Clinician & Clinical Supervisor
Michelle Cermeno, MSW, LSW, LCADC, CCS, is a bilingual Licensed Social Worker, Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor, and Certified Clinical Supervisor who provides therapy services in both English and Spanish. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Cognitive Neuroscience, as well as her Master of Social Work (MSW) with a clinical concentration, from Rutgers University. Michelle also completed Addiction Counselor Training (ACT) through Rutgers University and has obtained specialized certifications in addiction counseling and gambling counseling.
Michelle began her professional journey in 2013 and has since built extensive experience working within mental health, substance use treatment, and the justice system across a wide range of populations and levels of care. Her background includes outpatient treatment programs, methadone clinics, withdrawal management, short-term residential treatment, drug court initiatives, halfway houses, adolescent treatment settings, and therapeutic community programs. She has worked closely with adults, adolescents, families, and justice-involved populations while collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, probation departments, schools, DCPP, Drug Court, and other community agencies.
Throughout her career, Michelle has provided individual, group, and family counseling services while conducting biopsychosocial assessments, treatment planning, crisis intervention, discharge planning, and case management. She is highly experienced in treating co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders and has worked extensively with clients navigating addiction recovery, trauma, emotional dysregulation, behavioral concerns, and life transitions.
Michelle specializes in working with concerns including anxiety, depression and mood disorders, ADHD, addictive disorders such as problem gambling, sex addiction, and compulsive shopping/spending, substance use disorders, self-esteem issues, trauma recovery, narcissistic abuse recovery, relationship difficulties, and major life transitions. She is a solution-focused therapist who believes in strengthening her clients’ independence, resilience, insight, and ability to persevere through life’s challenges.
Her therapeutic approach primarily utilizes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) while integrating Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), mindfulness-based interventions, and other evidence-based modalities to help clients build confidence and expand their coping skills. Michelle believes strongly in empowering clients through compassionate, collaborative, and individualized care tailored to each person’s unique experiences and goals.
In addition to her clinical expertise, Michelle is known for her strong interpersonal skills, leadership abilities, and dedication to advocacy and culturally competent care. As a bilingual clinician, she is passionate about increasing accessibility to quality mental health and substance use treatment services for diverse communities. She currently provides therapy services to adults and couples while continuing to support individuals on their path toward healing, growth, and long-term recovery.