Michael Garrison, LMSW, LCSW

Michael Garrison is a licensed social worker based in Michigan with ten years of experience in school and community mental health settings. He holds a Master of Social Work and practices as an LMSW and LCSW. He has spent years supporting people who face trauma, mood disorders, addiction, and relationship struggles. He aims to build a working connection that makes progress possible.

He draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and other approaches to help people notice unhelpful thinking and try different behaviors. He also uses skills from Dialectical Behavior Therapy to teach emotion regulation and interpersonal effectiveness. Sessions emphasize practical steps a person can try between meetings.

Michael has worked with adults and with parents while in school settings, including delivering parent management strategies that focus on respect and safety. That background informs how he helps people manage stress, parenting challenges, and coping with major life changes. He also has experience addressing grief, intimacy issues, anger, and self-esteem concerns.

His style is direct and validating. He listens, offers feedback, and helps people set clear goals. He encourages reflection and practice so new habits can stick.

In a session people can expect focused conversation, skill-building, and a plan for small steps. Michael aims to meet people where they are and work toward meaningful improvement in daily life.

How specific therapy methods work online

CBT helps people spot unhelpful thoughts and test new behaviors. Online CBT sessions often focus on short exercises, thought records, and homework that can be reviewed together during video or message-based meetings.

DBT offers skills for managing intense emotions and improving relationships. In online DBT-informed work, a therapist teaches concrete strategies for emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and clearer communication that people can practice between contacts.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist collaborates with each person to choose methods that match goals and everyday needs. That means trying techniques, checking progress, and adjusting plans together so the work fits the person’s life.

Offering video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging gives practical flexibility. Video sessions are useful for deeper conversation and skill practice. Phone sessions can be a lower-bandwidth option for a focused check-in. Live chat and text messaging let people share short updates, ask questions between meetings, and keep momentum when schedules are tight. These options make it easier to keep therapy part of a busy week.