Michelle Hernandez, ALMFT

(DOWNTOWN CHICAGO)

Preferred Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Email: michellehernandez@core-chicago.com
Tel: (312) 470-4302 (Chicago)

Michelle Hernandez is an Associate Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (ALMFT) in Illinois. She earned her Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy and her Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Sciences, with a minor in Counseling, from Northern Illinois University. Michelle works with adolescents, adults, couples, and families from a systemic, attachment-based, and multicultural lens.

Michelle is passionate about helping clients better understand themselves, their relationships, and the patterns that may be impacting their emotional well-being. She strives to create a collaborative and supportive therapeutic environment where clients feel safe exploring difficult emotions, life transitions, family dynamics, and relational challenges. Michelle hopes to help clients build stronger connections with themselves and others while developing greater self-awareness, emotional regulation, and resilience.

Michelle has experience working with adolescents, emerging adults, couples, and families. She recognizes that relationships, family dynamics, and broader social and cultural contexts influence how individuals understand themselves and interact with others. She is passionate about helping clients navigate life transitions, anxiety, family conflict, self-esteem concerns, and relational challenges. Michelle also enjoys working with couples who are seeking to improve communication, strengthen emotional connection, navigate intimacy concerns, and create more satisfying relationship patterns. Whether working with individuals, couples, or families, she strives to create a collaborative therapeutic environment where clients can explore their experiences, identify strengths, and move toward meaningful change.

In her work, Michelle integrates systemic, attachment-based, Structural Family Therapy, Bowen Family Systems Theory, Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) approaches. She believes that meaningful growth occurs through understanding ourselves within the context of our relationships and helping clients recognize the strengths and patterns that shape their lives. Michelle values collaboration, inclusivity, cultural responsiveness, and a sex-positive approach to therapy. She strives to create a supportive and empowering space where clients can foster deeper connection, greater self-awareness, and increased confidence in themselves and their relationships.

Michelle has the following Professional Certifications:

  • Prepare and Enrich Facilitator for Couples

  • Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHA)

  • Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)

  • Gottman Method Couples Therapy - Levels 1 & 2