Michelle Bates, LCSW
Summary
Compassionate mental health professional with 20+ years of experience in outpatient therapy and private practice. Skilled in clinical assessment, CBT, mindfulness-based techniques, and couples therapy. Strong background in managing diverse client needs, including gender-affirming care and complex life transitions.
Overview
1
1
Certification
26
26
years of professional experience
Work History
Small Business Owner
Self-Employed (BatesFoods, LLC/Bates Ventures, LLC)
Youngsville, NC
07.2024 - Current
- Oversee daily operations for small businesses to ensure smooth functioning.
- Coordinate product orders and manage supply inventory to support business needs.
- Record expenses, invoices, and business records to maintain financial accuracy.
Therapist
MindPath Health
Youngsville, NC
10.2018 - 07.2024
- Provided outpatient therapy for individuals and couples in private mental health practice.
- Conducted comprehensive client assessments through interviews and questionnaires to identify individual needs and treatment goals.
- Crafted and executed tailored treatment plans for mood disorders, anxiety disorders, and trauma, enhancing client coping strategies and overall well-being.
- Applied evidence-based therapies to effectively support clients dealing with mood/anxiety disorders, marital issues, and life transitions, fostering personal growth and stability.
- Collected collateral information to evaluate strengths, supports, family-of-origin background, history of current presentation, prior treatment, and medical history.
- Delivered gender-affirming care in a supportive environment.
Owner/Therapist/Wellness Coach
Self-Employed
Wake Forest, North Carolina
06.2016 - 10.2018
- Provided outpatient therapy and coaching to individuals and couples in a private practice.
- Supported clients in achieving better emotional and physical health through encouragement, education, and coping strategies.
- Helped clients specifically and clearly identify their goals and collaborated with them to develop skills and plans of action to achieve them.
- Facilitated development of healthy habits to enhance clients' quality of life.
- Managed daily administrative tasks for private practice, including scheduling, billing, and marketing.
Stay at Home Parent of Twins
Self-Employed
Wake Forest, NC
06.2012 - 06.2016
Therapist
Wake Forest Counseling Associates, PLLC
Wake Forest, North Carolina
12.2008 - 06.2012
- Delivered therapy to adults, couples, and teens addressing mood disorders, anxiety disorders, and life transitions in private outpatient mental health practice.
- Delivered crisis intervention and safety support for high-risk mental health situations.
- Conducted intake assessments and diagnostic interviews for behavioral health treatment planning.
Therapist
Coastal Carolina Neuropsychiatric Center
Jacksonville, NC
03.2007 - 03.2008
- Delivered therapeutic services to adults, couples, and teens addressing mood and anxiety disorders, PTSD, substance abuse, family conflict, and life transitions in a private, multi-disciplinary outpatient mental health clinic, enhancing client well-being.
- Collaborated with physicians and specialists to exchange critical information, ensuring comprehensive care for clients and promoting integrated treatment approaches.
- Served as community liaison with agencies and programs, facilitating resource-sharing and support for clients, and strengthening community mental health partnerships.
- Treatment populations included civilians and active-duty military personnel as well as their families.
Clinical Social Worker
Durham VA Medical Center
Durham, NC
09.2000 - 04.2007
- Provided individual, group, couples, and family therapy in an outpatient mental health clinic.
- Collaborated with psychiatric and allied teams to develop comprehensive diagnosis and treatment plans.
- Trained social work interns to enhance clinical skills and support patient care.
Education
Master of Social Work -
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL04-2000
Skills
- Clinical assessment
- Building rapport
- Treatment planning
- Evidence-based therapy
- CBT techniques
- Mindfulness-based techniques
- Couples therapy (Gottman Method)
Certification
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker: NC License # C004357
Timeline
Small Business Owner
Self-Employed (BatesFoods, LLC/Bates Ventures, LLC)
07.2024 - Current
Therapist
MindPath Health
10.2018 - 07.2024
Owner/Therapist/Wellness Coach
Self-Employed
06.2016 - 10.2018
Stay at Home Parent of Twins
Self-Employed
06.2012 - 06.2016
Therapist
Wake Forest Counseling Associates, PLLC
12.2008 - 06.2012
Therapist
Coastal Carolina Neuropsychiatric Center
03.2007 - 03.2008
Clinical Social Worker
Durham VA Medical Center
09.2000 - 04.2007
Master of Social Work -
Florida State University