- Years in practice
- 5
- Credentials
- LCSW
- Licensed in
- Illinois
- Languages
- English
- Focus
- Stress, Anxiety
- Focus
- Addictions
- Focus
- Trauma and abuse
About Michael
Michael Peterson, LCSW, helps people facing stress, anxiety, addiction, grief, depression, and parenting challenges. He works with clients who are navigating trauma, relationship strain, anger, or changes in career and life. Michael approaches sessions with a direct, empathetic style that focuses on practical steps and steady support.
He prefers plain talk and short-term goals. Sessions often include problem-solving, skill-building, and checking in on what is working. Michael draws from cognitive behavioral techniques and mindfulness to help people notice patterns and try new responses.
Background and approach
His background is in social work, and he has five years of counseling experience. He has held roles such as case worker, crisis clinician, and therapist in different settings. That variety gave him experience with many kinds of challenges and ways people cope.
Michael aims to make the work collaborative. He listens to what matters most to each person and adapts the approach to fit practical needs. Sessions move at a pace the client chooses, focusing on reachable changes and clearer thinking.
People come to him for help with addictive behaviors, ADHD, parenting stress, compassion fatigue, and managing mood swings like bipolar symptoms. He also supports those dealing with family of origin issues, fatherhood concerns, and the emotional effects of aging and caregiving.
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
- Addictions
- Trauma and abuse
- Grief
- Depression
- LGBT
- Relationship issues
- Family conflicts
- Parenting issues
- Anger management
- Self esteem
- Career difficulties
- Bipolar disorder
- Coping with life changes
- Compassion fatigue
- ADHD
- Aging and geriatric issues
- Autism and Asperger Syndrome
- Avoidant personality
- Caregiver issues and stress
- Codependency
- Commitment issues
- Communication problems
- Control issues
- Dissociation
- Divorce and separation
- Drug and alcohol addiction
- Emptiness
- Family of origin issues
- Family problems
- Fatherhood issues
- Forgiveness
- Guilt and shame
- Hospice and end-of-life counseling
- Immigration issues
- Isolation / loneliness
- Jealousy
- Life purpose
- Men's issues
- Midlife crisis
- Money and financial issues
- Mood disorders
- Multicultural concerns
- Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD
- Panic disorder and panic attacks
- Post-traumatic stress
- Process addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)
- Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
- Self-harm
- Self-love
- Social anxiety and phobia
- Young adult issues
Approaches Michael lists
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Client-Centered Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Mindfulness Therapy
- Motivational Interviewing
- Solution-Focused Therapy
Listing an approach is not evidence of training in it. This directory copies what each therapist names and does not check training records.
Practical therapy approaches for online care
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT, focuses on clarifying values and taking small meaningful steps even when difficult thoughts or feelings are present. It can help people who feel stuck by shifting attention toward what matters most rather than getting caught up in avoidance.Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes listening and partnership. The therapist reflects what a person says and supports their own problem-solving, which can be useful for building confidence and emotional clarity during parenting stress or grief.
Finding the right approach is part of the work. Michael will talk with each person about goals, try techniques, and adjust based on what helps. That collaborative process makes it easier to blend skill-building, mindfulness, or values-based work depending on your needs.
The online format offers flexibility. Video calls let you use facial cues and screen-sharing for worksheets, phone sessions are helpful when bandwidth is limited, live chat supports quick check-ins, and text messaging lets you report progress between meetings. These options make it easier to fit therapy into busy days and to keep consistent momentum toward your goals.
Questions people ask about Michael
What concerns does Michael commonly address?
He works with stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma and abuse, grief, depression, parenting issues, and related concerns such as ADHD and compassion fatigue.
What is his therapeutic style like?
Sessions are practical and client-centered, with plain language and collaborative goal-setting. He combines listening with hands-on strategies you can use between sessions.
What is his professional background?
Michael has five years of counseling experience and a broader background in social work roles including case work and crisis clinician duties.
Where is he licensed and practicing?
He holds an LCSW license in Illinois and provides services to people located in that state.
Which languages are supported for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
What session formats are available?
Michael offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to fit different schedules and needs.
How are costs and subscriptions handled?
Costs vary with location and therapist availability; sessions are delivered via a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with him?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to the therapist's availability.
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