- Guilt and shame
- Addictions help
- Direct collaborative work
About Michael
Michael Gallese is a California LPCC with 10 years of experience in behavioral health. He has worked as a behavioral health technician, case manager, and substance abuse counselor before becoming a licensed professional clinical counselor. He supports adults with stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma and abuse, grief, and self-esteem concerns, including issues related to guilt and shame.
He writes plainly and works directly. Sessions focus on identifying the patterns that keep someone stuck and on practical steps to change them. Conversations include honest feedback and tasks to practice between meetings rather than only talk during sessions.
His background in front-line roles gives him a practical view of what struggling looks like day to day. That experience informs how he frames problems like addiction, impulsivity, dissociation, and post-traumatic stress. He draws on evidence-based therapeutic techniques to address attachment wounds, abandonment fears, and family of origin issues.
People who felt therapy was vague or unhelpful in the past often connect with his style. He aims to help clients clarify what drives their behavior, work through control and communication problems, and approach forgiveness, self-love, and relational patterns with concrete steps.
Sessions explore impulses, isolation, and the shame that can follow sexual assault and abuse. He helps people practice different ways of responding so daily life becomes more manageable and relationships feel clearer.
How his approaches translate to online work
He uses evidence-based therapeutic techniques that focus on clear steps and measurable change. One approach emphasizes identifying and shifting behavioral patterns that keep someone stuck; it helps with addictions, impulsivity, and day-to-day triggers by practicing new responses. Another approach concentrates on processing trauma-related symptoms like dissociation and post-traumatic stress through gradual exposure to memories and skills for managing reactions.Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. He assesses a client’s needs, goals, and preferences and then recommends which methods to try. Clients and the therapist review progress together and adjust the plan based on what works in practice.
The biography does not list specific online session formats, so confirm current options before booking. In general, online work can make it easier to fit appointments into a busy life and allow follow-up conversations without long travel. It can also allow shorter check-ins when a quick review is useful, or sessions that focus on practical exercises that clients can try between meetings.
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 issues. Additional focus areas include abandonment, attachment, codependency, and guilt and shame.
How would you describe his therapeutic style?
His approach is direct and collaborative with honest feedback. He emphasizes identifying patterns and doing practical work between sessions.
What is his background and experience?
He has 10 years in behavioral health, including roles as a behavioral health technician, case manager, and substance abuse counselor before becoming an LPCC.
What credential does he hold and where is he based?
He is a California LPCC and practices in California.
Does he offer sessions in other languages or to international clients?
Sessions are offered in English. He is not currently accepting international clients.
What session formats are available?
The original biography does not specify session formats. Please confirm current session options before booking.
How are sessions priced?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with him?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger or thinking about harming yourself, use the crisis numbers.