Michael Southerland, LMFT
Collaborative therapy focused on your story
Details
| Name | Michael Southerland |
|---|---|
| Credentials | LMFT |
| Based in | California |
| Licensed in | California |
| Session format | Online |
| Languages | English |
| Years in practice | 12 |
About Michael
Michael Southerland is a licensed marriage and family therapist in California with 12 years of experience. He works with people dealing with stress, anxiety, depression, and concerns related to LGBT identity, relationships, and intimacy. He frames therapy as a collaborative process that centers the person's own story and strengths.
Clients can expect straightforward conversation and steady support. Sessions focus on understanding what matters most to the client and on small, realistic steps that make daily life easier.
Background and approach
Michael emphasizes the client's knowledge of their own life while offering tools and perspectives to reduce distress. His practice draws on narrative ideas that look at the stories people live by and how those stories shape feelings and choices. He also uses client-centered methods to keep the work grounded in what the person values.
Cognitive behavioral techniques are used when it helps to change unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns. Beyond those approaches, he brings elements of existential and solution-focused work to help people clarify meaning and set practical goals. Sessions are conversational and aimed at building skills the client can use between meetings.
Michael aims to help people feel more connected to their priorities and more able to handle everyday challenges. He provides care in English and works with adults in California. Michael encourages anyone considering therapy to take the first step and explore whether his style fits their needs.
What this therapist works with
His listing names Stress, Anxiety, LGBT, Relationship issues among the things Michael works with, alongside the areas below.
- Stress, Anxiety
- LGBT
- Relationship issues
- Intimacy-related issues
- Depression
- Abandonment
- Adoption and foster care
- Aging and geriatric issues
- Attachment issues
- Autism and Asperger Syndrome
- BDSM, kink, and alternative sex culture
- Body image
- Co-morbidity
- Codependency
- Commitment issues
- Communication problems
- Control issues
- Drug and alcohol addiction
- Eating and food-related issues
- Emptiness
- Family problems
- Forgiveness
- Gender dysphoria
- Guilt and shame
- HIV / AIDS
- Infidelity
- Isolation / loneliness
- Jealousy
- Life purpose
- Men's issues
- Midlife crisis
- Mood disorders
- Narcissism
- Panic disorder and panic attacks
- Personality disorders
- Polyamory / non-monogamous relationships
- Postpartum depression
- Self-love
- Sex addiction
- Sexual dysfunction
- Sexuality
- Social anxiety and phobia
- Workplace issues
- Young adult issues
Approaches listed
- Narrative Therapy: Named in his listing among his approaches.
- Client-Centered Therapy: Listed by Michael among the ways he works.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Listed by Michael among the ways he works.
- Existential Therapy: Listed by Michael among the ways he works.
- Solution-Focused Therapy: Listed by Michael among the ways he works.
- Internal Family Systems: Listed by Michael among the ways he works.
- Training stated: This directory copies the approaches a therapist names and does not check training records. Ask Michael directly how much of the work is narrative and what a session usually looks like.
Narrative Therapy in this listing
Narrative Therapy appears in this therapist's own list of approaches. That tells you it is part of how he works. It does not tell you how much of a session it shapes, and this directory does not check or rate training.
If a narrative approach is what you are looking for, it is worth asking Michael directly how he uses it and what a session usually looks like.
Online session options
How Michael blends practical approaches for online care
Michael uses Narrative Therapy to help people look at the stories they tell about themselves and their relationships, and to find alternative narratives that feel more helpful and hopeful. This approach is useful for identity, relationship, and meaning questions. He also uses Client-Centered Therapy, which keeps the person's values and experience at the center of each session and supports self-directed change. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, is used when specific thoughts and behaviors are creating distress; CBT offers concrete tools to shift those patterns.Choosing the right approach is part of the work. Michael treats therapy as a collaborative process and will talk with each person about their needs, goals, and preferences to find a mix of methods that fits. Clients shape the direction and pace of the work while he offers options and techniques to try.
Online sessions are available by video call, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging to make scheduling easier. Video calls allow face-to-face conversation, phone sessions can be quicker or require less bandwidth, and live chat or messaging can suit shorter check-ins or flexible timing. These options aim to make it easier to keep therapy consistent and to fit sessions into a busy life.
Common questions about this listing
What kinds of concerns does Michael address?
He helps people facing stress, anxiety, depression, relationship and intimacy issues, and LGBT-related concerns, among other challenges.
How would you describe his therapeutic style?
His work is collaborative and conversational, centering the client's story and using practical techniques to change thinking and behavior when helpful.
What is his clinical background?
Michael has 12 years of professional experience and practices as a licensed marriage and family therapist.
Where is he licensed and based?
He is licensed in California as an LMFT and provides services to people located in that state.
Which languages are supported for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
What session formats are offered?
Michael offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to fit different needs and schedules.
How does payment and cost work?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin therapy with him?
Click the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.
Contacting this therapist
Sessions with Michael are arranged through our partner platform. It asks a few questions about what you are looking for, then shows you the therapists available to you, including Michael where he has space. Ask about fees, and whether he holds a licence or registration where you live.
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