- Stress and anxiety
- Trauma and abuse
- Guilt and shame
About Michael
Michael Mcintosh is an Iowa psychologist (IA Psychologist 126366) and a licensed psychologist in North Carolina (NC Psychologist 3995) with 16 years of experience. He works with adults who are dealing with stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, low self-esteem, career concerns, and coping with life changes. Guilt and shame are also noted areas he addresses.
He helps people build coping skills and change patterns that get in the way of daily life. Sessions focus on practical steps and talking through what feels most pressing. He blends humanistic and cognitive-behavioral ideas to do that work.
Mcintosh trained with a Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology and brings years of clinical practice to each session. He typically frames problems in straightforward terms and lays out clear options for moving forward. Conversations are aimed at understanding what led to the current problem and what can be tried next.
When trauma or intense distress is present he attends to symptoms while also looking at how a person makes meaning of their experience. For career or life-change concerns he helps identify manageable goals and small experiments to test new behaviors. For guilt and shame he works with the specific thoughts and memories that keep those feelings active.
Sessions are held in Iowa and support is offered in English. Michael asks prospective clients to complete a short matching questionnaire to schedule a first appointment and to learn more about session logistics and fees.
How evidence-based approaches translate to online sessions
Evidence-based cognitive-behavioral techniques focus on the link between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. In practice this means identifying unhelpful thoughts, testing them with small experiments, and building new routines to reduce anxiety or unhelpful avoidance. This approach is often used for anxiety, stress, and patterns that maintain guilt and shame.Humanistic-informed work centers on the person’s values and experience. It involves open conversation about what matters to someone and helping them make choices that fit those values. This style can help when a person feels stuck, empty, or disconnected from their goals.
Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will collaborate with the client to choose which methods to try based on the person’s goals, current needs, and preferences. That decision can change over time as progress and challenges become clearer.
Confirm current session options before booking. The practical benefits of doing therapy remotely include fitting sessions into a busy schedule, reducing commute time, and making it easier to have shorter check-ins when needed. Online work can also allow for flexible timing around work or caregiving, and it can help people try strategies between sessions in their everyday environment.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Additional focus areas
Experience
16+ years
Listed in
Iowa, North Carolina
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of issues does he address?
He works with stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, self-esteem, career concerns, and coping with life changes, with additional attention to guilt and shame.
How does he approach guilt and shame?
He looks at the specific thoughts and memories that keep guilt and shame active and uses practical steps to test new ways of thinking and behaving.
What is his background and experience?
He holds a Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology and has 16 years of professional experience in clinical practice.
What credentials and location are on record?
He is listed as IA Psychologist 126366 and NC Psychologist 3995 and practices in Iowa.
Which languages are supported?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can international clients work with him?
International clients are not currently accepted.
How are sessions scheduled and what about cost?
Sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time and cost varies with location; specific fees are provided when scheduling.
How do I begin working together?
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.