SERVING NEW YORK, NEW JERSEY AND ILLINOIS | online + LIMITED IN-PERSON IN CHICAGo
EMDR therapy can transform how you relate to yourself and the world. As an EMDR-certified therapist practicing in New York, New Jersey, and Illinois, I’ve had the privilege of supporting clients through profound healing journeys for anxiety and trauma.
Below are testimonials from clients and recommendations from mental health colleagues about their experiences in therapy.
Their words highlight the care, thoughtfulness, and effectiveness they experienced in our work together, as well as the support I provide for those navigating life transitions.
My work often includes EMDR, which is an evidence-based therapy recognized by EMDRIA, for its effectiveness in helping people heal from anxiety and trauma.
client REFLECTIONS
“Dorlee is a sincerely thoughtful, wise, and generous counselor. A rare gem of a human.
Anyone who is on the verge of wanted or unwanted changes and willing to develop their self awareness will find great healing and joy in their work with Dorlee.
I recommend her with my whole heart.”
— KS, 31
“Dorlee is amazing! She is very thoughtful and makes me feel heard during my sessions with her.
I started meeting with her last fall and she has helped me get through some very difficult moments in my life – loss in the family, career transition, relationship issues.
She’s helped me change my mindset and given me lifelong tools to manage stress and anxiety.”
— CC, 27
“I am so grateful to have found Dorlee. She is kind, patient, knowledgeable and truly cares about helping you succeed.
I have noticed deep changes and growth working with her and cannot recommend her enough for anyone struggling with anxiety, depression or relationship issues.”
— AB, 33
“I’ve gained peace of mind,
self-acceptance, tools for dealing
with stress and anxiety, self-love.”
— AA, 31
“I have gained a great deal by working with Dorlee. She empowered me to create boundaries, be able to say no, to truly value myself and my work, and to be accountable for how I show up in the world.
She was patient, yet firm, and the sessions, especially the EMDR, allowed me to transcend barriers that I couldn’t have imagined overcoming before. I can’t say enough good things about Dorlee – very grateful for the experience with a genuine, kind, brilliant psychotherapist.”
— MK, 29
“Dorlee has been a tremendous help in my personal and professional life.
She’s created a container for me to process and learn more about myself during major transitions and she always shows up to meet me in the place I need to be to do work and make progress.”
— MR, 29
“Dorlee is an incredible therapist and
I would recommend her to anyone!
She is very considerate and employs
a lot of very helpful methods and techniques.”
— MS, 27
“Dorlee was a wonderful therapist, who was empathetic, remembered my history, references and names, and a patient listener.
I felt heard and valued and received great advice that helped me process what I wanted to achieve.
It was a positive experience that has lasted beyond the sessions.”
— CM, 31
“Dorlee has been a huge help to me over the past 3 years. She is patient, non-judgemental, and honest. She is very good at helping process trauma at your own pace in a safe manner.
She is great at both offering practical advice, or listening to you vent after a rough week. We’ve been meeting remotely for over a year now, and I’ve found her methods to be just as effective as in-person.
Highly recommend!”
— ZM, 30
“Over the past four years, working with Dorlee has been an incredibly meaningful experience.
She’s not just a therapist you check a box with, she’s a true partner in growth. She has helped me navigate so many phases of life, and I’ve grown in ways I never expected because of her support, guidance, and compassion. What stands out most is her genuine care and dedication.
She goes above and beyond for her patients, and it shows. Any patient would be lucky to build a relationship with her, because it’s exactly that — a relationship built on trust, respect, and encouragement. I will carry her wisdom with me always, and I can’t recommend her highly enough.”
— PP, 28
“Dorlee is an excellent therapist. I immediately felt at ease working with her and never felt judged. She is very knowledgeable, kind, empathetic and trustworthy.
She listened attentively, provided helpful feedback and concrete considerations for me to apply during a tough period of postpartum depression, and helped me gain better insight into myself, my feelings and my experiences.
We did some EMDR and psychoanalytically-informed exploration and I started experiencing change and significant symptom relief throughout our work together. I highly recommend working with Dorlee!”
— RA, 31
colleague REFLECTIONS
My work as a therapist focuses on online psychodynamic and EMDR therapy for anxiety and trauma, as well as supporting clients through life transitions.
“Dorlee is a warm, caring and insightful psychotherapist.”
— Meagan Hetherington, LCSW
Former Colleague at the Training Institute for Mental Health
“Dorlee is a warm and insightful therapist who helps those who suffer from anxiety, pain, grief or low self-esteem process their feelings and heal. She is committed to her clients and provides a supportive environment to foster personal and professional growth.”
— Alice Ellerbeck, LCSW
Psychotherapist at Blanton-Peale Counseling Center |
Former Colleague at the Training Institute for Mental Health
“Having had the pleasure of supervising Dorlee for several years, I can attest to her clinical acumen.
Not only is she a gifted therapist, but her professionalism and dedication are unparalleled.”
— Christine Grounds, LCSW-R
Psychotherapist in Private Practice | Former Clinical Director of the Training Institute for Mental Health
“Dorlee is a wonderfully sensitive therapist. She approaches clinical cases with warmth and great attunement.
With a calm, caring demeanor, combined with skills and training in psychodynamic therapy and EMDR, she is particularly well-suited to working with trauma.”
Rebecca Liebmann-Smith, LCSW
Director of Internship Program, Training Institute for Mental Health | Therapist Specializing in Psychoanalytic/Psychodynamic Therapy
“Dorlee is a warm, intuitive, and compassionate clinician whose work with trauma is impressive.
She creates a space where clients feel safe, seen, and understood while gently allowing healing using EMDR and psychoanalytic healing.
She’s terrific!”
— Joanne Mackie, LMHC
“I have come to know Dorlee as a warm, caring therapist with a genuine love for learning that enriches her practice.
Her engaging and encouraging approach helps clients feel supported and motivated as they progress on their journey.”
— Michelle M. Morris, LISW-S, LCSW
“I highly recommend Dorlee.
She is compassionate, warm, and insightful, helping clients heal emotional wounds, rewire old patterns, and develop lasting confidence.
A great fit for high-achieving individuals.”
— Kristin Zeising, PsyD, CST
“Dorlee’s compassionate and grounded presence fosters a safe and supportive environment for individuals navigating the challenges of anxiety and trauma. Her thoughtful approach helps clients feel genuinely seen, heard and understood.
Drawing from her own rich and diverse life experiences, Dorlee brings a deep level of insight and empathy to her work. Whether supporting high-functioning professionals navigating career pressures or young adults facing transitional life phases, she demonstrates a nuanced understanding of each client’s unique journey.”
— Judy Wang, CPC, LCPC
“Dorlee is amazing at helping high achieving women find the roots of their struggles and help them find their joy. She offers individual and intensives to help them.
If you want a kind and compassionate therapist to help you find your joy call Dorlee.”
— Kiara Brown, MA, LPC
“I had the pleasure of working with Dorlee in a group of colleagues. She is very knowledgeable. She is certified in EMDR and has extensive training in psychoanalysis which makes her a thorough and effective therapist.
She is caring, warm, and has an amazing set of skills. She is efficient in her work with individuals dealing with anxiety, trauma, and going through life transitions. She cares about helping people not only get better but thrive in life. I highly recommend her.”
— Greta Wendorf, LCSW
“I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Dorlee Michaeli through a professional group. Based in Chicago and EMDR-certified, she brings a warm, supportive presence paired with strong clinical insight.
Her trauma-informed approach is both thoughtful and effective.”
— Paula Maness, PsyD
If you are considering therapy for anxiety and trauma in New York, New Jersey or Illinois, these reflections offer a glimpse into what the experience can be like.
Every person’s journey is unique, and what matters most is finding a therapist who feels like the right fit for you.
If you would like to learn more, I invite you to explore my anxiety therapy, trauma therapy, or life transitions counseling pages,
or reach out for a free consultation.