About Michael
Michael Shugrue is a licensed clinical social worker with 25 years of experience helping people manage stress, anxiety, depression, relationship tensions, family issues, and self-esteem struggles. He uses a straightforward, compassionate style to help people feel heard and make practical changes. Michael focuses on clear steps clients can try between sessions so progress carries into daily life.
He brings decades of clinical experience to each meeting. Sessions are collaborative - he works with clients to find what fits their situation.
How Michael works
Conversations aim to clarify patterns, set small goals, and practice new ways of coping. Michael favors evidence-based therapeutic techniques and adapts them to each person's needs. He pays attention to what’s working and what isn’t, and adjusts the plan as progress unfolds.
The emphasis is on usable skills rather than lengthy theory. People who come to Michael often want direct guidance along with room to talk. He helps clients build resilience and better self-understanding.
Many leave sessions with concrete tools for managing stress and improving relationships. Michael practices in New Jersey and conducts sessions in English. He aims to create a calm, practical space where people can sort through difficult emotions, try new behaviors, and move toward steadier daily functioning.
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
- Family conflicts
Also listed
Training and background
| Register | LCSW |
|---|---|
| Years in practice | 25 |
| Languages | English |
| Session format | Online: video, phone, live chat or messaging |
| Country | New Jersey |
Memberships and registers are shown as supplied; they are not licences, and this directory does not verify them.
Online support options
Approaches that guide online sessions
Michael uses evidence-based therapeutic techniques that focus on practical change. One approach emphasizes identifying unhelpful thinking and testing new, balanced thoughts to reduce anxiety and low mood. This helps people notice patterns and try different ways of thinking that feel more manageable. Another approach centers on building coping skills and behavioral changes, such as breaking big problems into small steps and practicing new routines to reduce stress and improve self-esteem. These techniques are useful for daily struggles and for improving how people handle relationship tensions.Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. Michael works with each person to choose strategies that fit their goals and life situation. He checks in regularly and adapts the plan as progress is made so the work stays relevant and practical.
Online sessions are offered by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to increase flexibility. Video calls allow face-to-face conversation when it helps, phone sessions use less bandwidth and can be easier to fit into a busy day, and messaging or chat supports brief check-ins or reflection between meetings. These options let people access therapy from different locations and schedules while keeping the focus on making steady, usable change.
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Common questions
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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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