About Michael
Michael Gardner helps people who are struggling with stress, anxiety, low self-esteem, and depression. He is an LCSW - Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 22 years of practice experience in Tennessee. He speaks English and accepts international clients for online work.
He uses mindfulness to help lower stress and anxiety. He focuses on building coping skills so people can feel more motivated and confident. Sessions are conversational and practical, aimed at small changes that add up over time.
How Michael works
Michael also uses supportive psychotherapy to help people process difficult feelings and find constructive ways forward. He creates a calm, accepting space where clients can be heard without judgment. That approach is meant to reduce overwhelm and help clients try new behaviors.
Therapy with him looks like working together to identify realistic goals. He tailors interventions to each person instead of following one fixed method. Over time the goal is clearer choices and more day-to-day relief from symptoms.
Michael has experience with adults, couples, geriatric patients in long-term care, and homeless veterans from his previous roles. He draws on that background to adapt sessions to practical life situations. He encourages people to take the first step and offers steady support along the way.
What Michael works with
The areas below are the ones Michael selected when setting up a profile. The first few are listed as the main focus; the rest are also named.
Training and background
| Register | LCSW |
|---|---|
| Years in practice | 22 |
| Languages | English |
| Session format | Online: video, phone, live chat or messaging |
| Country | Tennessee |
Memberships and registers are shown as supplied; they are not licences, and this directory does not verify them.
Online support options
Approaches and online therapy options
Mindfulness-based work teaches simple attention practices and breathing techniques to lower stress and calm anxious thoughts. It is useful for people who notice tension, racing thoughts, or trouble sleeping and want tools to steady their day-to-day mood.Supportive psychotherapy focuses on practical feedback, encouragement, and problem-solving. Sessions emphasize understanding feelings, naming obstacles, and trying manageable steps to improve coping and confidence.
Finding the right approach is part of the work together. The therapist will listen to concerns, review goals, and suggest which techniques to try first. Clients and the therapist adjust the plan over time based on what helps most.
Online therapy is offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to fit different needs. Video allows face-to-face conversation when convenient. Phone sessions use less bandwidth and can be easier during a short break. Live chat and text are useful for brief check-ins or ongoing written support. These options make it simpler to fit therapy into a busy schedule and to keep continuity between sessions.
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Common questions
What concerns does he address?
What is his general therapy style?
How much clinical experience does he have?
What credentials and location are listed?
Which languages are supported and can he work internationally?
What session formats are available?
How is cost handled?
What is the process for getting started?
A practical next step
Write down two things you would want to be different in six months. That is the most useful thing to bring to a first session, whoever it is with. If you would rather start now than keep reading, online sessions are the quickest route.
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