- CBT and mindfulness
- Strengths based
- Work and wellbeing
About Michael
Michael Perkins is a licensed clinical social worker in Missouri with 20 years of clinical and counseling experience. He combines practical methods with a straightforward, warm style to help people manage work and life stresses. He emphasizes strengths and what is already working as the base for change.
He uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and mindfulness alongside a client-centered way of working. Sessions often include simple, doable homework such as short activities or reading to practice new skills between meetings. Michael frames therapy as a collaborative effort where the person is the expert on their life.
His experience covers relationship and family concerns, parenting challenges, anxiety, stress, trauma and abuse, and issues around intimacy and anger. He also supports people facing career questions, bipolar mood concerns, compassion fatigue, ADHD, and the strains of caregiving or aging family members. Additional topics he addresses include adoption and foster care, divorce and separation, fatherhood issues, and isolation or loneliness.
Michael also brings over 25 years of teaching in social work and human services to his clinical work. That background informs his practical focus on skills and clear explanations. He pays attention to what clients want to accomplish and to small strengths that can be built into lasting change.
People who choose him can expect a calm, evidence-oriented approach that mixes thought-focused tools and mindfulness practice. He asks about goals up front and designs sessions around each person’s needs and pace.
How core approaches guide online work
Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening and following the person's goals. The therapist creates space for people to talk through what matters and helps them notice strengths they already have.Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at how thoughts influence feelings and actions. It uses straightforward exercises and small practice tasks to change unhelpful patterns, which can help with anxiety, stress, and mood challenges.
Mindfulness Therapy teaches simple attention and breathing practices to reduce reactivity and build calm. Mindfulness pairs well with skill work when people want tools for staying present during stressful moments.
Finding the right mix of approaches is part of the work. The therapist will talk with each person about goals, preferences, and day-to-day needs and together decide which methods to emphasize. That decision is collaborative and may shift as progress happens.
For practical matters, confirm current session options before booking since formats are not specified here. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy schedule, allow shorter check-ins when time is limited, and support regular practice between meetings. Many people find it simpler to bring homework and skills practice into their everyday routines when meeting remotely.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
20+ years
Credentials
Missouri
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does he commonly help with?
He works with relationship and family issues, parenting, anxiety, stress, trauma and abuse, intimacy problems, anger, career matters, bipolar concerns, compassion fatigue, and ADHD among other topics.
What is his therapeutic style like?
He blends Client-Centered Therapy with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and mindfulness. Sessions focus on practical skills, exploring strengths, and collaborative planning.
How much experience does he have?
He has 20 years of clinical and counseling experience and more than 25 years teaching social work and human services.
Where is he licensed and based?
He is licensed as an LCSW in Missouri and works with people who reside in that state.
Which languages are supported?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can people outside the U.S. work with him?
He does not accept international clients at this time.
How are sessions priced?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
What is the process to get started?
Use the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to the therapist's availability.