Michael Minnella, LCPC - Therapist in Illinois

Mindfulness for anxiety
CBT skill building
Assertiveness coaching

About Michael

Michael Minnella is a licensed clinical professional counselor (LCPC) who takes a calm, steady approach in sessions. He speaks softly and aims to build a practical working relationship with each person. He uses clear, everyday language so people know what to expect from counseling.

He draws on cognitive-behavioral techniques to teach skills for managing anxiety and depression. Mindfulness exercises are used when stress or overwhelming thoughts get in the way of daily life. He also focuses on improving communication through assertiveness and other practical tools.

Over 26 years of practice, he has supported people facing a wide range of concerns. These include addictions, trauma and abuse, grief, sleep and eating problems, and coping with big life changes. He also lists adoption and foster care among his additional focus areas for people seeking help connected to those experiences.

Sessions include working through relationship and family problems, addressing caregiver strain, and building strategies for emotional regulation. He uses elements from attachment-informed work to help people understand patterns that affect trust and connection.

Michael aims to help people leave sessions with concrete steps they can use between meetings. His style is patient and skill-focused, with an emphasis on learning tools rather than long explanations. People can expect practical strategies and calm guidance for pressing concerns.

Approaches for remote work and practical coping

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on noticing difficult thoughts and choosing values-based action despite them. It helps people who feel stuck by teaching how to make choices that match what matters most. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns and teaches concrete skills to change them, which is useful for anxiety, depression, and sleep or eating concerns. Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes a warm, nonjudgmental atmosphere where the therapist follows the person's lead and supports their own problem-solving.

Choosing the right approach is part of therapy. The therapist will collaborate with each person to see which methods fit their goals and preferences. That conversation guides how sessions use ACT, CBT, or client-centered techniques so work in sessions matches what the person needs.

Confirm current session options before booking, as formats are not specified here. Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy schedule, shorten check-ins during work breaks, or reduce travel time. It also allows using worksheets, mindfulness practices, and skill coaching between meetings so people can practice tools in daily life.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyAddictionsAnger managementSelf esteem Depression

Also works with

Relationship issuesFamily conflictsTrauma and abuse GriefEating disordersSleeping disordersParenting issuesCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderCoping with life changes Compassion fatigue ADHD

Additional focus areas

Adoption and foster careAging and geriatric issuesAttachment issuesAutism and Asperger SyndromeBlended family issues Caregiver issues and stressChronic pain, illness, and disabilityCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDrug and alcohol addictionEating and food-related issuesFamily problemsFatherhood issues ForgivenessHearing impairedImpulsivityIntellectual disabilityIsolation / loneliness Life purposeMen's issuesVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMoney and financial issuesMood disordersMulticultural concernsPanic disorder and panic attacksPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressProcess addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Social anxiety and phobiaWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Attachment-Based TherapyClient-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)Gottman MethodMindfulness TherapySolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused TherapyInternal Family Systems

Experience

26+ years

Credentials

Illinois

Languages

English

Frequently asked questions

What issues does he help people with?

He helps with stress, anxiety, depression, addictions, anger, and low self-esteem, plus grief and trauma-related concerns. Adoption and foster care related issues are listed as an additional focus area.

What is his general therapy style?

His style is calm and patient with a practical focus. Sessions emphasize skill building such as mindfulness, CBT techniques, and assertiveness practice.

How much clinical experience does he have?

He has 26 years of experience working with a wide range of concerns and life challenges. That background informs a toolbox-driven approach to therapy.

What credential does he hold and where is he based?

He is an Illinois LCPC, which stands for Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, and he is located in Illinois.

Which languages are supported?

Sessions are offered in English.

Does he work with international clients?

International clients are not currently accepted.

How are fees handled?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.

How do I begin working with him?

To get started, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule based on therapist availability.

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