- Stress and anxiety
- Trauma and grief
- Self-esteem work
About Michael
Michael Gallese is an LPCC - Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor in California with 10 years of experience. He focuses on stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma and abuse, grief, and self-esteem. He also pays attention to issues such as attachment, codependency, and isolation.
He has a long history in behavioral health, including roles as a behavioral health technician, case manager, and substance abuse counselor before becoming an LPCC. That prior work shaped how he notices everyday struggles, not just clinical descriptions.
His style is direct and collaborative. Sessions aim to identify what keeps unhelpful patterns going and then test practical changes. Clients should expect honest feedback and work to continue between sessions.
He commonly helps people who felt therapy didn’t fit before or who are skeptical it will help. Conversations focus on clear goals, practical steps, and measuring small changes over time. Issues like grief, self-esteem, guilt, and shame are addressed with concrete strategies rather than vague talk.
Michael works with adults and offers support around relationship patterns, communication problems, control issues, dissociation, mood concerns, post-traumatic stress, and recovery from sexual assault and abuse. He uses established, evidence-based therapeutic techniques to guide work on these topics.
To begin, Michael asks people to complete a short matching questionnaire and then schedule an initial session. He uses a subscription model for sessions that can be canceled at any time, and pricing varies with location.
How therapeutic approaches translate to online sessions
Michael uses evidence-based therapeutic techniques that focus on understanding behavior patterns and testing practical changes. One common approach is skills-based work that teaches specific tools for managing anxiety and stress, such as breathing, grounding, and behavioral experiments to reduce avoidance. These tools are practiced in session and assigned as brief exercises to try between meetings.Another frequent element is trauma-informed care that pays attention to how past experiences shape current reactions. This involves pacing work to reduce overwhelm, naming triggers, and developing ways to regulate emotions so day-to-day functioning improves.
Finding the right mix of approaches is part of the process. He works collaboratively with each person to decide which techniques fit their goals, preferences, and what they can realistically do between sessions. That means checking in often and adjusting the plan if something isn’t working.
Confirm current session options before booking, as specific formats are not listed in the biography. In general, online work can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life - for example a shorter check-in may suit a lunch break, and phone sessions can involve less data use when internet connections are limited. Ask about session length and format when you complete the short matching questionnaire so arrangements match your needs.
Areas of expertise
Additional focus areas
Experience
10+ years
Listed in
California
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does he address?
He works with stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma and abuse, grief, and self-esteem; he also focuses on attachment, codependency, isolation, and related issues.
What is his therapeutic style like?
His approach is direct and collaborative. Expect honest feedback and practical steps to try between sessions.
How much experience does he have?
He has 10 years of experience in behavioral health, including roles as a behavioral health technician, case manager, and substance abuse counselor before becoming an LPCC.
Where is he licensed and practicing?
He is an LPCC licensed in California and practices from that state.
What languages are sessions offered in?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can international clients work with him?
He is not currently accepting international clients.
How are sessions paid for?
Sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time and cost varies with location.
How do I get started?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.