Above Water Counseling
Create a more balanced life
Self care is necessary for mental and physical wellness. I strive to create a safe space and a judgement free zone so you can be yourself and feel not only heard, but understood.
A little bit about me…
Greetings, I am Michela Iriti, creator of Above Water Counseling; a private mental health practice in Mount Pleasant, SC. My professional qualifications include: South Carolina Licensed Professional Counselor, Nationally Certified Counselor, Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Member of The American Counseling Association. I have been practicing in the mental health field for over a decade in various settings including crisis work, private and public hospitals, and specialty clinics. Helping people has been a lifelong passion of mine. I love what I do and hope this is exemplified through my dedication and care for my clients.
My Approach
My primary objective as a therapist is always to provide support, comfort, and empathy to my patients. My hope is that an individual never feels shame or embarrassment in seeking some extra help to cope with life’s multitude of stressors.
I use CBT - Cognitive Behavioral Therapy - techniques to take a close look at your thoughts and emotions and help you gain a better understanding of how these manifest through your behaviors. Having a more clear insight helps assist with the goal of altering those negative thoughts and unlearning the behaviors that are harming you or no longer serving you; while also adopting healthier thought patterns and habits. Reframing your thinking, developing constructive coping skills, and improving the relationships with yourself and others, are some primary examples of goals one might work towards in this therapeutic modality.
I believe that healing can be inspired through feelings of connection and understanding; these are crucial to a healthy therapeutic relationship. The process of seeking therapy or finding a therapist that is the right fit can understandably be a daunting task but I wish to make the process less stressful. I attempt to approach life with kindness and humility, thus creating a safe and comfortable environment for my clients.
Marriage & Relationship Counseling
I enjoy working with individuals but I specialize in working with couples; as it can be a particularly intimidating venture to work with a spouse or significant other on communication, trust, and connection.
Couples counseling can be a somewhat vague and intimidating title. Some examples of relationship dynamics I work with include divorced or separated co-parents, pre-marital couples, LQBTQ+ relationships, couples who are unsure of whether or not they can continue in their marriage or relationships, and many others. The relationship does not need to be in crisis or falling apart to seek a bit of extra assistance and support. It is not a sign of failure or distress. It can be used as a form of prevention or simply to strengthen the bond.
There is no ‘one size fits all’ therapeutic approach with couples. However, I use the Gottman Method of practice to meet the individuals where they are and improve their understanding of one another; how they communicate their wants and needs and help them to reconnect.
“The Gottman Method is an approach to couples therapy that includes a thorough check up of the couple’s relationship and integrates research-based interventions base on the Sound Relationship
House Theory. The goals of Gottman Method Couples Therapy are to disarm conflicting verbal communication, increase intimacy, respect and affection, remove barriers that create a feeling of stagnancy and create a heightened sense of empathy and understanding within the context of a relationship.” The Gottman Institute 2024.
In-person and remote options
Our office is conveniently located in Mount Pleasant, SC. Can’t make it into the office? No worries – we’ve got you covered with teletherapy through zoom.