Michael Peterson, LCSW

Licensed in Illinois · 5 years in practice

License and registration

LCSW, Illinois: 149019164 · expires November 2027
NPI: 1972852978 · national provider identifier
Years in practice: 5
Languages: English

Details are as listed on the therapist's public professional profile. You can check any license with the state board and any NPI with the national registry.

About Michael

Michael Peterson is a licensed clinical social worker who helps people manage stress, anxiety, addiction struggles, grief, depression, relationship and parenting concerns, and a wide range of life changes. He uses plain talk and calm presence to make it easier to start difficult conversations. He keeps sessions straightforward and practical.

Conversations focus on what feels most urgent and on small steps that can reduce distress. He aims to create a nonjudgmental space where thoughts and feelings can be named and explored at the clients pace.

Background and approach

Michael has five years of clinical experience as an LCSW in Illinois. Before focusing on counseling he worked in multiple social work roles including case work and crisis work, which shaped a flexible approach to problem solving and safety planning. His style draws on several methods such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, client-centered techniques, cognitive behavioral strategies, mindfulness, and motivational interviewing.

He adapts these tools to each persons needs so sessions feel relevant and useful rather than academic. People reach out to him for help with addiction recovery, coping after trauma, parenting stress, burnout and compassion fatigue, attention differences, and major life transitions. Michael supports people who want clear steps, emotional support, and help building day-to-day coping skills.

Focus areas and approaches

Everything Michael lists on their public professional profile, in their own terms.

Stress, Anxiety
Addictions
Trauma and abuse
Grief
Depression
LGBT
Relationship issues
Family conflicts
Parenting issues
Anger management
Self esteem
Career difficulties
Bipolar disorder
Coping with life changes
Compassion fatigue
ADHD
Aging and geriatric issues
Autism and Asperger Syndrome
Avoidant personality
Caregiver issues and stress
Codependency
Commitment issues
Communication problems
Control issues
Dissociation
Divorce and separation
Drug and alcohol addiction
Emptiness
Family of origin issues
Family problems
Fatherhood issues
Forgiveness
Guilt and shame
Hospice and end-of-life counseling
Immigration issues
Isolation / loneliness
Jealousy
Life purpose
Men's issues
Midlife crisis
Money and financial issues
Mood disorders
Multicultural concerns
Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD
Panic disorder and panic attacks
Post-traumatic stress
Process addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
Self-harm
Self-love
Social anxiety and phobia
Young adult issues

Approaches Michael names

Naming an approach is not evidence of training in it. This directory copies what each therapist lists and does not check training records.

Online support

Therapeutic approaches adapted for online care

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy helps people notice difficult thoughts and feelings without getting stuck in them, and then move toward values-based actions that matter. It can be useful for anxiety, depression, and coping with life changes. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and patterns, then practicing practical changes in thinking and behavior to reduce distress and improve day-to-day functioning.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will talk with each person about goals and preferences and will try different strategies to see what fits. That collaborative process helps shape short-term plans and longer-term goals together.

Online sessions are offered by video, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging to make scheduling easier and reduce travel time. Video calls are good for face-to-face conversation and visual cues, phone sessions work well when bandwidth is limited, live chat can be a quicker check-in, and messaging supports brief updates or ongoing coaching between sessions. These options allow people to fit therapy into busy lives while using the therapeutic approaches that best match their needs.

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Questions people ask

What concerns does he help with?

He works with stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma and abuse, grief, depression, relationship and parenting concerns, ADHD, bipolar issues, and related life changes.

What is his therapeutic style like?

Sessions are straightforward and practical, with an emphasis on clear steps and client-centered listening. He aims to make conversations feel safe and focused on what matters now.

What background does he bring to therapy?

Michael has five years of clinical experience as an LCSW and has worked in roles such as case worker and crisis clinician, giving him varied experience with different settings and needs.

Where is he licensed and based?

He is licensed as an LCSW in Illinois and practices with that credential within the state.

Which languages are supported?

Sessions are offered in English.

What session formats are offered?

Therapy is available by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to fit different schedules and preferences.

How does payment and cost work?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

How do I begin working with him?

Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to the therapists availability.

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