- Client-focused
- Practical steps
- Experience driven
About Michael
Michael Southerland is a California-based licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) with 12 years of clinical experience. He focuses on stress, anxiety, depression, LGBT concerns, relationship and intimacy-related issues. He aims to meet people where they are and help them move toward clearer goals and steadier day-to-day living.
He works from the belief that each person knows their own story best. Sessions focus on the client’s strengths and practical steps they can try between meetings. Michael offers straightforward support and steady guidance while people figure out what matters most to them.
Over his career he has worked with a broad range of concerns, including attachment and abandonment, adoption and foster care matters, aging and geriatric issues, autism and Asperger syndrome, and challenges around body image and eating. He also has experience with codependency, communication and commitment problems, and with people navigating kink and alternative sexual cultures.
His clinical approach draws on client-centered methods, cognitive behavioral techniques, narrative ideas, solution-focused work, and existential questions. In sessions he listens, asks focused questions, and helps plan manageable next steps. The aim is steady progress rather than quick fixes.
People looking to begin can expect a direct, collaborative style that emphasizes real-life solutions. Michael supports people as they test new ways of thinking and relating, and as they work toward more satisfying relationships and daily routines.
How therapeutic approaches shape online work
Client-Centered Therapy places the client's experience at the heart of the work. The therapist listens closely, reflects what he hears, and helps people develop their own answers to difficult questions. This approach is useful when someone needs space to make sense of feelings and choices.Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at how thoughts, behaviors, and feelings interact. It uses clear steps and experiments to test new ways of thinking and acting, which can help with anxiety, stress, and repetitive negative patterns.
Existential Therapy raises questions about meaning, values, and personal responsibility. It invites people to consider what matters most and to make decisions that align with their own beliefs and goals.
Finding the right combination of approaches is part of the work. Michael will collaborate with each person to determine which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences. Together they set practical goals and adjust the plan over time based on what helps most.
Confirm the current session options before booking, as formats are not specified here. Online work can make fitting therapy into a busy life easier by reducing travel and offering more flexible scheduling. It can also allow shorter check-ins when time is tight or let someone choose a meeting style that feels manageable, like audio-only or video depending on what the therapist offers. Talk with the therapist during the matching process to find an approach and session rhythm that fit everyday life.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
12+ years
Credentials
California
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of issues does Michael help with?
He works with stress, anxiety, depression, LGBT concerns, relationship and intimacy-related issues. He also addresses adoption and foster care topics and related challenges.
What is his general therapy style?
He uses a client-centered stance that focuses on strengths and collaboration. Sessions often include goal-setting and practical exercises to try between meetings.
How much clinical experience does he have?
He has 12 years of professional experience working with a range of emotional and relational concerns in California.
What are his credentials and where is he located?
Michael holds the LMFT credential and practices in California.
Which languages are supported for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can international clients work with him?
International clients are not currently accepted. Sessions are arranged for clients within his supported region.
How are fees and payment handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
What should I do to start working together?
Select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.