About Michael
Michael Henderson is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 16 years as an LCSW and extensive experience in behavioral health. He helps people manage stress, anxiety, depression, bipolar symptoms, and relationship and self-esteem concerns. His style is straightforward and collaborative, with attention to each person's goals and life story.
He brings experience from inpatient hospitalization, community behavioral health centers, and outpatient settings. That background shaped a practical toolbox of approaches and links to community resources.
How Michael works
He listens first, builds trust, and then works together to set clear goals. Sessions focus on understanding what is getting in the way of change. He helps clients identify patterns, practice new skills, and remove obstacles to healthier routines and choices.
He may shift from a gentle to a more direct style as rapport grows and goals become clearer. Michael works with trauma-informed and LGBTQIA-affirming principles and draws on widely used, evidence-based methods to tailor care to each person. He explains options and helps people choose what fits their needs and preferences.
Intake begins with a short conversation to learn the background and what the client wants to achieve. From there he maps practical steps and follows up to track progress and adjust the plan as needed.
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.
- Stress, Anxiety
- Relationship issues
- Self esteem
Also listed
- Abandonment
- Adoption and foster care
- Attachment issues
- Avoidant personality
- Bipolar disorder
- Blended family issues
- Cancer
- Caregiver issues and stress
- Chronic pain, illness, and disability
- Codependency
- Commitment issues
- Communication problems
- Control issues
- Coping with natural or human-caused disaster
- Dependent personality
- Depression
- Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)
- Dissociation
- Divorce and separation
- Drug and alcohol addiction
- Emptiness
- Family of origin issues
- Family problems
- Fatherhood issues
- Forgiveness
- Guilt and shame
- HIV / AIDS
- Hospice and end-of-life counseling
- Impulsivity
- Infidelity
- Isolation / loneliness
- Jealousy
- Life purpose
- Men's issues
- Midlife crisis
- Mood disorders
- Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD
- Panic disorder and panic attacks
- Paranoia
- Personality disorders
- Polyamory / non-monogamous relationships
- Post-traumatic stress
- Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
- Self-love
- Sexuality
- Social anxiety and phobia
- Somatization
- Women's issues
- Workplace issues
- Young adult issues
Training and background
| Register | LCSW |
|---|---|
| Years in practice | 16 |
| Languages | English |
| Session format | Online: video, phone, live chat or messaging |
| Country | Virginia |
Memberships and registers are shown as supplied; they are not licences, and this directory does not verify them.
Online support options
Evidence-based approaches and online care
Michael draws on established, evidence-based techniques to guide therapy. One common approach is cognitive behavioral work, which helps people identify unhelpful thoughts and practice new behaviors to reduce anxiety and depression. Another is mindfulness-informed work, which teaches simple attention and breathing practices to manage stress and increase emotional awareness.Choosing the right approach is collaborative. The therapist will review your history, goals, and preferences and suggest options that match your needs. Together you can try methods and adjust the plan based on what helps most, rather than committing to a single path upfront.
Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, which offer flexibility for different routines. Video sessions are useful for deeper conversations when visual cues matter. Phone sessions work well when bandwidth is limited or for shorter check-ins. Live chat and messaging let people share updates or questions between meetings and fit into busy days. These options make it easier to keep continuity of care and to schedule sessions around work, medical appointments, or caregiving duties.
Start online instead of waiting
Our partner service asks a few questions about what you are looking for and matches you with a therapist for sessions from home.
Book with MichaelWe will earn a commission if you sign up through our link, at no cost to you.
Common questions
What concerns does Michael commonly address?
What is his general therapeutic approach and style?
What is his clinical and professional background?
Where is he licensed and practicing?
Which languages are offered for sessions?
What session formats are available?
How is cost handled for therapy?
How do I begin the process?
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.
We will earn a commission if you sign up through our link, at no cost to you. Entries are not assessed or endorsed by this directory.
Other entries for stress, anxiety
Supportive LCSW helping people build strength and clarity
Practical, trauma-aware therapy for everyday life
Practical, relational therapy for life transitions