About Michael
Michael Tidstrand is a licensed professional clinical counselor (LPCC) who helps people facing stress, anxiety, grief, depression, bipolar concerns, ADHD, and struggles with self-esteem. He aims to make conversations feel calm and nonjudgmental so people can talk openly. His style is down-to-earth and focused on practical steps a person can try between sessions.
He draws on ten years of clinical experience and a Master’s in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University.
How Michael works
Michael uses a mix of methods such as cognitive behavioral techniques, mindfulness, and acceptance-based ideas to help people notice unhelpful patterns. He also uses attachment-informed thinking to look at how relationships shape feelings and behavior. Sessions focus on clear goals and small experiments that fit daily life.
Michael listens, asks curious questions, and helps people try new ways of responding to stress or painful emotions. He avoids jargon and explains tools in simple terms so they are easy to practice at home. People who are coping with big life changes, compassion fatigue, or repeated low mood often work on grounding strategies, thought patterns, and emotion regulation.
For those with bipolar or ADHD, sessions can include planning, routine supports, and ways to manage mood or focus. Michael encourages steady progress rather than quick fixes. Therapy includes collaborative planning and regular check-ins on what works.
He accepts international clients and offers remote sessions to make it easier to fit care into busy lives.
Michael lists 6 ways of working on the entry:
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.
Also listed
- ADHD
- Bipolar disorder
- Compassion fatigue
- Coping with life changes
- Family conflicts
- Self esteem
Training and background
| Register | LPCC |
|---|---|
| Years in practice | 10 |
| Languages | English |
| Session format | Online: video, phone, live chat or messaging |
| Country | California |
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 therapy
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT, helps people notice their thoughts without getting stuck in them and focus on what matters most. It is useful for anxiety, depression, and life transitions where values and action matter. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, looks at the links between thoughts, feelings, and actions and teaches practical techniques to shift unhelpful patterns. It often helps with anxiety, low mood, and stress management. Attachment-Based Therapy explores how early and current relationships shape emotions and coping, which can help when relationship patterns or trust issues get in the way of feeling steady.Finding the right approach is part of the work. Michael will collaborate with each person to test what helps most, combining techniques from different models when useful. Treatment plans are adjusted over time based on goals, progress, and personal preference so the fit improves as therapy continues.
Online sessions are offered by licensed professionals using video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to suit different needs. Video calls support face-to-face conversation and visual cues. Phone sessions can be easier when bandwidth is limited or a quick check-in is needed. Live chat and text messaging work well for shorter exchanges, brief updates, or when someone prefers writing to speaking. These options make it easier to schedule care around work, school, or caregiving responsibilities and help people keep momentum between sessions.
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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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