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LCSW

Michael Peterson, LCSW

  • Experience5 years
  • LocationIllinois
  • Focus areasADHD, Stress and Anxiety, and Addictions
  • Therapy approachesAcceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Client-Centered Therapy
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About Michael

Michael Peterson is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) based in Illinois who focuses on a wide range of concerns including stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma and abuse, grief, depression, ADHD, and issues related to relationships and parenting.

Background and approach

He brings five years of clinical experience to his practice and draws on prior roles in case work and crisis intervention to inform a practical, adaptable approach to counseling. He emphasizes creating an open, nonjudgmental space where clients can explore difficult thoughts and feelings.

His work integrates evidence-based methods such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing alongside client-centered and mindfulness-based techniques. This blend supports clients coping with life changes, compassion fatigue, bipolar disorder, and substance-related concerns, among other challenges.

Michael frames therapy as a collaborative process and offers guidance tailored to each person’s goals and circumstances. Prospective clients in Illinois can expect a therapist who values clarity, practical strategies, and empathic listening while helping them move toward more sustainable coping and greater emotional balance.

How therapeutic approaches translate to online care

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people clarify personal values and take committed action even when difficult thoughts or feelings arise; it can be useful for stress, anxiety, grief, and coping with life changes. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying unhelpful thinking patterns and practicing concrete skills to change behavior and emotional reactions, which is often helpful for anxiety, depression, addictions, and self-esteem concerns. Motivational Interviewing centers on enhancing a person’s own motivation to make changes and is practical for addressing substance use, ambivalence about change, and readiness for new behaviors.

Choosing the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and Michael treats this as a collaborative exploration. He will discuss goals, preferences, and what has or hasn’t helped in the past to shape which methods to emphasize, adjusting the plan as progress is made.

Online therapy with him is offered through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to provide flexibility for different schedules and communication styles. These remote options allow people to access licensed professionals and continue consistent work on goals without needing in-person visits, making it easier to fit therapy into daily life.

Frequently asked questions

What types of concerns does this therapist address?
He works with a broad set of issues including stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma and abuse, grief, depression, ADHD, relationship and parenting challenges, and related topics.
How would you describe his therapeutic style?
Michael uses a collaborative, client-centered stance that blends practical strategies with empathic listening and mindfulness to help clients identify values and workable steps forward.
What is his professional background?
He has five years of clinical experience and has held roles such as case worker and crisis clinician, experiences he integrates into his current therapeutic practice.
Where is he licensed and located?
He practices in Illinois and holds the credential LCSW with license number IL LCSW 149019164.
Does he work with clients in other languages or internationally?
Sessions are offered in English, and he is not currently accepting international clients.
What session formats are available?
Michael offers multiple remote formats including video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to fit different preferences.
How are sessions priced and billed?
Cost varies based on location and therapist availability; sessions are provided through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What are the first steps to begin working together?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to the therapist's availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyAddictionsTrauma and abuseGriefDepression

Also works with

LGBTRelationship issuesFamily conflictsParenting issuesAnger managementSelf esteemCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderCoping with life changesCompassion fatigueADHD

Additional focus areas

Aging and geriatric issuesAutism and Asperger SyndromeAvoidant personalityCaregiver issues and stressCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesDissociationDivorce and separationDrug and alcohol addictionEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFatherhood issuesForgivenessGuilt and shameHospice and end-of-life counselingImmigration issuesIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeMen's issuesMidlife crisisMoney and financial issuesMood disordersMulticultural concernsObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPanic disorder and panic attacksPost-traumatic stressProcess addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-harmSelf-loveSocial anxiety and phobiaYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Mindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingSolution-Focused Therapy

Experience

5+ years

Licensed

Illinois

Languages

English