About Michael

Prof. Michael McGaugh helps people facing stress, anxiety, depression, grief, addiction, ADHD, and relationship or intimacy concerns. He also supports those dealing with trauma, parenting strain, anger, low self-esteem, career questions, and compassion fatigue.

He is an LPC with 22 years in the mental health field and practices from Missouri. McGaugh’s style is straightforward and practical. He listens first, then helps people name the problem and choose small steps forward.

Background and approach

Sessions focus on day-to-day skills people can use between meetings. He values clear, usable strategies that fit a client’s life. His background includes roles as an adult case manager and an intake specialist.

Over time he found his most rewarding work was counseling people one-on-one. That mix of community and clinical experience shapes a balanced approach in sessions. Clinically he draws on client-centered work, cognitive behavioral techniques, and emotionally-focused ideas.

He also uses existential and mindfulness approaches when they match a client’s needs. These methods are used to help people notice patterns, shift unhelpful thinking, and build coping skills. Clients can expect a collaborative process that emphasizes practical change.

The goal is to help people make choices that lead to feeling better and functioning more confidently. He aims to help people become more mindful and empowered in their decisions.

How his approaches translate to online care

Client-Centered Therapy places the person’s experience at the center of sessions and emphasizes listening and empathy to help people clarify what matters to them. This approach helps with issues like low self-esteem, grief, and life transitions by making space for someone to tell their story and set their own goals.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on spotting and changing unhelpful thought and behavior patterns. It offers concrete exercises and homework that help with anxiety, depression, panic, and some ADHD-related struggles by building practical skills for daily life.

Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) looks at emotional responses and how they shape relationships and personal patterns. This work can help people understand attachment, intimacy concerns, and intense emotional reactions so they can respond differently in close relationships.

Finding the right approach is part of the work together. He will collaborate with each person to pick methods that match their goals, preferences, and the challenges they bring to sessions. That means trying things, checking what helps, and adjusting the plan as needed.

Online formats make it easier to fit therapy into busy lives. Video calls let people read visual cues and work through exercises live. Phone sessions are useful when bandwidth is limited or when someone prefers not to be on camera. Live chat and text-based messaging allow shorter check-ins, quick coping reminders, or ongoing support between longer sessions. These options add flexibility so people can engage in therapy in ways that suit their day-to-day demands.

Questions people ask

What concerns does he help with?
He works with a wide range of issues including stress, anxiety, depression, grief, addictions, ADHD, trauma, and relationship or intimacy-related concerns.
What is his therapy style like?
His style is direct and collaborative, focusing on clear steps people can use between sessions and learning coping skills that fit daily life.
How many years has he practiced?
He has 22 years of experience in the mental health field, including roles as an adult case manager and an intake specialist before becoming a counselor.
What credentials and location apply?
He holds the LPC credential and practices from Missouri.
Are sessions offered in other languages or internationally?
Sessions are offered in English and he accepts international clients.
Which session formats are available?
He offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to match different needs and schedules.
How are fees and billing handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What are the first steps to begin therapy?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule sessions according to therapist availability.

What this therapist works with

Most often

Experience
22 years
Licensed
Missouri
Languages
English

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