Michael Johnnson

Michael Johnnson is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with four decades of experience. He helps people facing stress, anxiety, depression, grief, relationship problems, and life transitions. He is straightforward in sessions and aims to match the pace to each person's needs.

He takes a person-centered approach that begins with listening to a client's story. Sessions focus on what the client says matters most, whether that means short-term problem solving or a deeper, slower process. He explains the purpose and plan for each step so clients know what to expect.

Michael draws on a mix of approaches, including cognitive behavioral ideas, acceptance and commitment perspectives, and motivational strategies. He uses practical tools to address thinking patterns, build new habits, and clarify values. When helpful, he adopts a solution-focused stance to produce tangible progress more quickly.

His life experience shapes his work. He is a 72 year old Christian man who has navigated marriage, divorce, blended and interracial family life, addiction recovery, and attention challenges. He can offer counseling from a Christian perspective when preferred, and he invites clients to shape treatment goals together.

Based in Wisconsin, Michael brings long experience working with issues such as intellectual disability, aging concerns, autism spectrum needs, caregiver stress, parenting and blended family challenges. He aims to make therapy understandable and useful for people at different stages of life.

How his approaches translate to online therapy

Michael uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help people clarify what matters to them and take small, values-based steps toward those goals. ACT focuses on noticing thoughts and choosing actions that match personal values, which can help with anxiety, depression, and life changes.

He also uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, which looks at the connections between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. CBT provides practical skills for changing unhelpful thinking and building healthier routines, useful for anxiety, depression, and coping with stress.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. Michael will work with each person to decide which methods fit their needs and pace. He explains the purpose of each technique and partners with clients to shape goals and the plan for sessions.

Confirm the current session options before booking, as formats are not specified here. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life by reducing travel time, allowing shorter check-ins when needed, and letting sessions happen from a convenient location. These practical benefits can help people maintain consistency and make steady progress.