Michael Spackman

Michael Spackman is a counsellor based in Australia who helps people facing stress, anxiety, grief and the effects of trauma. He also supports clients navigating family tensions, anger, depression and questions around identity, including LGBT concerns. He welcomes a calm, non-judgemental approach and encourages small steps toward clearer days.

Michael works to make the first steps feel manageable. He aims to create an open space where thoughts and feelings can be talked about honestly. He emphasises practical coping strategies alongside listening and validation.

Over eight years of professional work have shaped his approach. He blends several methods so sessions can be practical and tailored to each person’s needs. He draws on techniques that help with emotional regulation, thought patterns and values-based action.

Areas he commonly focuses on include ADHD, attachment issues, bereavement, chronic illness and care-related stress. He also supports people dealing with body image, relationship breakdowns and complex sexual cultures such as BDSM and kink when they bring those concerns into therapy.

Michael holds PACFA credentialing, which is noted as his professional affiliation. He uses that background to guide thoughtful, person-focused sessions and to help people set realistic goals for change.

How Michael’s approaches work in online counselling

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on helping people notice what matters to them and take small steps toward those values. It is useful for anxiety, stress and when someone feels stuck. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at how thoughts, feelings and actions interact and uses practical exercises to change unhelpful patterns; it often helps with anxiety and depression. Attachment-Based Therapy pays attention to how early relationships shape reactions today and can be helpful for people dealing with abandonment, attachment issues or relationship patterns.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. Michael will discuss these methods with each person and together they will choose what fits the client’s needs, goals and preferences. That collaborative decision can be adjusted as therapy progresses.

This profile does not specify exact session delivery methods, so please confirm current session options before booking. Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy week, shorten travel time and allow for brief check-ins when needed. It also lets people access counselling without rearranging their whole day, which can be helpful for carers or those managing chronic illness.