- Years in practice
- 40
- Credentials
- LPC
- Licensed in
- Wisconsin
- Languages
- English
- Focus
- Stress, Anxiety
- Focus
- Family conflicts
- Focus
- Parenting issues
About Michael
Michael Johnnson is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with four decades of experience helping people navigate stressful seasons. He speaks plainly and focuses on practical steps that parents and caregivers can use right away. Many come for help with parenting concerns, stress, anxiety, relationship strain, or life transitions.
He adapts his approach to each person's situation and pace. Some clients prefer short, goal-focused work to solve a pressing problem. Others need more time to sort through complex feelings or past experiences before deciding on next steps.
Background and approach
Michael combines conversational listening with tools drawn from cognitive behavioral techniques and acceptance-based work. He also draws on client-centered listening and solution-focused conversations to keep sessions grounded and useful. Motivational interviewing is available when people want help finding direction or making lasting changes.
His background includes long experience with addiction recovery, ADHD, blended family dynamics, caregiving stress, and grief. He can bring a faith perspective if a client requests it, and he is open about how his life experiences shape his approach. He aims to make treatment plans clear and collaborative, so people understand the purpose and steps of their work together.
Sessions emphasize practical skills, clearer communication, and manageable goals. Michael aims to help parents and individuals regain a sense of control and clarity while respecting each person's values and story.
What Michael works with
Everything Michael lists, in the therapist's own terms. Parenting is the reason this directory exists; the rest shows what else Michael helps people with.
- Stress, Anxiety
- Family conflicts
- Parenting issues
- Self esteem
- Career difficulties
- Addictions
- Relationship issues
- Trauma and abuse
- Grief
- Intimacy-related issues
- Eating disorders
- Anger management
- Bipolar disorder
- Depression
- Coping with life changes
- Coaching
- Compassion fatigue
- ADHD
- Aging and geriatric issues
- Autism and Asperger Syndrome
- Blended family issues
- Caregiver issues and stress
- Co-morbidity
- Codependency
- Communication problems
- Divorce and separation
- Family problems
- Guilt and shame
- Infidelity
- Intellectual disability
- Isolation / loneliness
- Jealousy
- Life purpose
- Men's issues
- Mood disorders
- Multicultural concerns
- Panic disorder and panic attacks
- Phobias
- Post-traumatic stress
- Process addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)
- Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
- Self-harm
- Self-love
- Sex addiction
- Social anxiety and phobia
- Visually impaired
Approaches Michael lists
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Client-Centered Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Motivational Interviewing
- Solution-Focused Therapy
- Internal Family Systems
Listing an approach is not evidence of training in it. This directory copies what each therapist names and does not check training records.
How Michael’s approaches translate to online care
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy focuses on noticing painful thoughts and feelings while committing to actions that match your values. It can help people who feel stuck by teaching simple ways to move forward despite difficult emotions. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy looks at how thoughts, feelings, and behaviors interact and teaches practical skills to change patterns that cause distress. It is often useful for anxiety, depression, and stress-related concerns. Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes being heard and respected; the therapist offers empathic listening and mirrors what matters to the client so they can find their own solutions.Choosing the right approach is part of the work. Michael will collaborate with each person to pick methods that match their goals, timeline, and comfort level. He may blend approaches, try a short solution-focused plan, or move into deeper material when that feels necessary. The decision is shared and revisited as progress unfolds.
Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. Video is useful for full conversations and visual cues. Phone sessions need less bandwidth and work well for shorter check-ins. Live chat or texting can be used for quick support, homework check-ins, or when someone prefers typing over speaking. These options make it easier to fit therapy into busy family schedules and to maintain momentum between sessions.
Questions people ask about Michael
What types of problems does he address?
He helps people with stress, anxiety, parenting concerns, relationship issues, grief, addiction recovery, and life changes among other topics.
How would you describe his therapy style?
He uses plain language and practical steps, mixing short-term solution focus with deeper work as needed. Sessions prioritize clear goals and useful skills.
What is his professional background?
He brings 40 years of experience and has worked with issues like ADHD, addiction recovery, blended family dynamics, caregiving stress, and grief.
Where is he licensed and based?
He is a Licensed Professional Counselor, LPC, licensed in Wisconsin and practices from that state.
Which languages are supported for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can people outside the United States work with him?
International clients are not currently accepted.
What session formats are available?
He offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to accommodate different schedules and needs.
How does billing and getting started work?
Cost varies based on location and therapist availability; services use a subscription that can be canceled at any time. To begin, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to availability.
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