Michael Valdes, LCSW

Michael Valdes is a licensed clinical social worker who helps people facing relationship pain, addiction, shame, and grief. He uses plain talk and steady support to help people handle jealousy, intimacy struggles, and life changes. Michael writes in straightforward terms and focuses on practical steps you can try between sessions.

He brings 17 years of experience working with stress, anxiety, depression, and trauma and abuse. He also addresses concerns such as ADHD, bipolar disorder, substance problems, and career strain. Michael pays attention to how attachment and abandonment themes show up in relationships and how those patterns affect trust and communication.

In sessions he mixes approaches to match what each person needs. Techniques from cognitive behavioral therapy help spot unhelpful thinking and try new behaviors. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy supports values-based choices and handling difficult emotions without getting stuck.

Michael also uses client-centered and dialectical skills to keep conversations compassionate and grounded. That means listening closely, helping people name what matters, and practicing small changes that build over time. He accepts work around kink, BDSM, and alternative sexual culture without judgment.

People meet him for coaching around life transitions, help with anger or control issues, and to work through betrayal, infidelity, or jealousy. Michael practices in Tennessee and offers services in English. To begin, follow the site process to match and schedule a first session.

How therapeutic approaches translate to online work

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people notice painful thoughts and feelings while choosing actions that match their values; it is useful for anxiety, depression, and relationship conflicts. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, which can reduce stress, manage mood, and improve communication patterns. Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes empathetic listening and building a trusting relationship so clients can explore concerns like attachment, abandonment, or intimacy at their own pace.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will talk with each person about goals and preferences, try methods that seem most likely to help, and adjust the plan based on what works in real life. This shared process helps clients feel involved and more confident in decisions about treatment.

Confirm available online session options before booking, as specific formats are not listed here. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy week, reduce travel time, or allow a shorter check-in when schedules are tight. Many people find remote sessions help them practice new skills between appointments and keep therapy consistent during life changes.