Michael Johnnson, LPC

Michael Johnnson is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) based in Wisconsin with four decades of experience. He helps people facing stress, anxiety, relationship challenges, grief, addiction concerns, and questions about life purpose. He also works with issues like jealousy, ADHD, parenting strain, and compassion fatigue. Michael brings direct, plainspoken guidance and aims to make therapy practical and understandable.

He draws on several approaches and picks what fits each person. That might be a short, solution-focused conversation to find quick changes. It might instead be a slower, deeper process for more complex problems. The pace follows the client’s needs and goals.

Michael describes himself as a 72 year old Christian man and can include Christian perspectives in counseling when a client prefers that viewpoint. He has personal experience with marriage, divorce, blended and interracial family dynamics, addiction recovery, and ADHD, and he uses those life experiences to inform his work. He emphasizes clear goals and shared decision making about treatment plans.

Sessions focus on what the client wants to achieve. Michael explains the purpose and steps of each part of therapy so people understand what comes next. He encourages honest conversation and practical steps between meetings.

Over his career he has used methods such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Solution-Focused Therapy. These methods are applied to help clients manage emotions, change unhelpful patterns, and move toward chosen values.

How therapeutic approaches guide online sessions

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on clarifying values and taking small, committed actions toward them. It helps when people feel stuck by worry or avoidance and want practical steps to live by what matters. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at the link between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and teaches concrete skills to change unhelpful patterns. It is useful for anxiety, depression, and many everyday struggles. Client-Centered Therapy centers the person’s experience and uses empathy and nonjudgmental listening so people feel heard and can find their own solutions.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. Michael will talk with clients about goals, preferences, and what has or hasn’t helped before. Together they decide which methods to try and adjust the plan as progress is made so the approach matches changing needs.

Practical benefits of online therapy include easier scheduling and fitting sessions into a busy week. Online work can allow shorter check-ins when needed and removes travel time so people can use a break at work or an evening slot more easily. Because session formats were not specified in the biography, confirm the current online options before booking to know whether phone or video is offered. The therapist will help tailor sessions to fit daily life and the client’s goals.