Michele Rutti, LAC

Michele Rutti, LAC: Trauma, Anxiety, Depression & Relationship Therapy at Pathways Counseling Services

Meet Michele Rutti, LAC, a compassionate therapist at Pathways Counseling Services in Scottsdale, AZ, providing therapy for children, teens, adults, couples, and families.

Michele specializes in helping clients navigate anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship challenges, life transitions, self-esteem concerns, stress, and emotional wellness through a collaborative, personalized, and trauma-informed approach.

Supporting Children, Teens, Adults, Couples, and Families

Michele believes that meaningful healing begins with feeling heard, understood, and accepted. She is passionate about creating a safe, supportive environment where clients of all ages can openly explore life’s challenges while developing greater confidence, resilience, and emotional well-being.

Whether working with a child experiencing anxiety, a teen navigating life’s transitions, a couple seeking healthier communication, or an adult processing trauma or depression, Michele meets each client with empathy, curiosity, and genuine compassion.

Michele believes therapy is a collaborative process where every client has the ability to grow, heal, and move toward a more fulfilling life.

A Personalized and Trauma-Informed Approach

Because every person’s experiences are unique, Michele tailors therapy to meet each client’s individual needs and goals. She incorporates evidence-based approaches including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), mindfulness-based interventions, and person-centered therapy to help clients better understand their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.

Her trauma-informed approach emphasizes emotional safety, trust, collaboration, and empowerment. Rather than focusing only on symptoms, Michele works alongside clients to identify underlying patterns, build practical coping skills, strengthen resilience, and create lasting, meaningful change.

As a result, clients gain tools they can apply in their daily lives while building greater confidence in themselves and their relationships.
Building Genuine Connections Through Life Experience

Before becoming a counselor, Michele spent more than 28 years as a hairstylist, building trusted relationships with people from all walks of life. Those years taught her the value of authentic connection, compassionate listening, and creating a space where others feel comfortable sharing their stories.

Today, those same qualities continue to shape Michele’s work as a therapist. She earned her Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Grand Canyon University and has experience providing individual and group counseling to adults experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, substance use, and co-occurring mental health concerns.

She is committed to providing culturally responsive, evidence-based care while honoring each client’s unique experiences, strengths, and personal goals.

Helping Clients Build Hope and Lasting Change

Michele believes healing is not about becoming someone different—it is about reconnecting with your strengths, discovering new perspectives, and building a life that feels authentic and meaningful. She is passionate about helping clients develop healthier relationships, improve emotional wellness, increase self-awareness, and find hope during life’s most difficult seasons.

Michele welcomes children, teens, adults, couples, and families seeking support for anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship concerns, stress management, life transitions, emotional wellness, and personal growth. She looks forward to partnering with clients as they build resilience, confidence, and lasting positive change.

Key Takeaways• Michele provides therapy for children, teens, adults, couples, and families.
• She specializes in anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship challenges, life transitions, emotional wellness, and personal growth.
• Michele uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), mindfulness-based approaches, person-centered therapy, and trauma-informed care.
• She believes in creating a warm, collaborative, and nonjudgmental environment where clients feel safe, supported, and empowered to heal.

Frequently Asked Questions

What ages does Michele work with?
Michele works with children, teens, adults, couples, and families, tailoring therapy to each client’s developmental stage, goals, and unique experiences.
What concerns does Michele help clients address?
Michele supports clients experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship challenges, stress, self-esteem concerns, emotional wellness needs, and life transitions using evidence-based, trauma-informed counseling.