About Michael
Michael Peterson is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) based in Illinois who focuses on helping people navigate stress, anxiety, addiction, trauma, grief, depression, and a wide range of relationship and life concerns.
Background and approach
He brings attention to issues including parenting, family dynamics, bipolar disorder, ADHD, compassion fatigue, and identity-related challenges such as LGBT concerns. Michael also works with topics like communication difficulties, codependency, caregiver stress, and substance-related problems.
He uses evidence-informed methods drawn from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, mindfulness-based techniques, Client-Centered Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing to tailor support to each person's needs. His background in several social work roles - from case work to crisis response and therapeutic work - contributes to a practical, multifaceted approach that values openness and nonjudgmental listening.
With five years of clinical experience as an LCSW, he aims to help clients build skills for coping with life changes, managing emotions, and clarifying values and goals. Michael emphasizes collaboration and gradual steps toward meaningful change, offering a supportive setting where thoughts and feelings can be explored honestly.
He encourages those ready to pursue a more fulfilling life to reach out and begin the process of matching with him for care.
Therapeutic approaches and online care
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people clarify what matters most and build committed action toward valued goals while learning to live with difficult thoughts and emotions. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying unhelpful thought and behavior patterns and developing practical skills to reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress. Mindfulness-based techniques teach present-moment awareness and self-compassion to reduce reactivity and improve emotional regulation.
Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist works together with each client to assess needs, goals, and personal preferences, then tailors methods from these approaches to create a plan that fits the individual. This collaborative stance helps clients feel involved and respected in the course of care.
Online options include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, which provide flexibility for people balancing work, family, or mobility constraints. These formats make it easier to maintain continuity of care, fit sessions into a busy schedule, and receive regular support while working on skills and goals with a licensed professional.
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Specialties and expertise
Top specialties
Also works with
- ADHD
- Aging and geriatric issues
- Anger management
- Autism and Asperger Syndrome
- Avoidant personality
- Bipolar disorder
- Career difficulties
- Caregiver issues and stress
- Codependency
- Commitment issues
- Communication problems
- Compassion fatigue
- Control issues
- Coping with life changes
- Depression
- Dissociation
- Divorce and separation
- Drug and alcohol addiction
- Emptiness
- Family conflicts
- Family of origin issues
- Family problems
- Fatherhood issues
- Forgiveness
- Grief
- Guilt and shame
- Hospice and end-of-life counseling
- Immigration issues
- Isolation / loneliness
- Jealousy
- LGBT
- Life purpose
- Men's issues
- Midlife crisis
- Money and financial issues
- Mood disorders
- Multicultural concerns
- Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD
- Panic disorder and panic attacks
- Parenting issues
- Post-traumatic stress
- Process addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)
- Relationship issues
- Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
- Self esteem
- Self-harm
- Self-love
- Social anxiety and phobia
- Young adult issues
Therapeutic approaches
- Experience
- 5 years
- Licensed
- Illinois
- Languages
- English