Michael Garrison, LMSW, LCSW

Michigan · 10 years in practice

Michael Garrison is a licensed clinical social worker based in Michigan with ten years of practice experience.

License and registration

LMSW, Michigan: 6801097735 · expires July 2027
LCSW, Oregon: L15000 · expires June 2026
NPI: 1487029690 · national provider identifier
Years in practice: 10
Languages: English

Details are as listed on the therapist's public professional profile. You can check the license with the issuing state board, and the NPI with the national registry.

About Michael

Michael Garrison is a licensed clinical social worker based in Michigan with ten years of practice experience. He combines practical skills with a straightforward approach to help people manage overwhelming events and ongoing concerns. He has worked across school and community mental health settings, supporting people through trauma, addiction, mood and personality struggles.

Michael has also helped parents use proven parenting strategies to build safer, more respectful family routines. In sessions he focuses on building a strong connection and offering clear, validating feedback.

Background and approach

He uses talk, guided reflection, and in-session practice so people can try new ways of coping between meetings. He values working at each person's current pace and meeting realistic goals for daily life. His approach draws on a mix of therapies, including cognitive behavioral techniques, dialectical behavior tools, mindfulness practices, motivational interviewing, and EMDR.

He applies these methods to concerns like anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, anger, substance use, and self-esteem challenges. Michael frames therapy as a collaborative process. He helps people set specific objectives, test small changes, and build skills that fit their routines.

The aim is more stability, clearer choices, and better ability to handle stress and relationship strain.

Focus areas and approaches

Everything Michael lists on their public professional profile, in their own terms.

Trauma and abuse
Grief
Intimacy-related issues
Anger management
Self esteem
Stress, Anxiety
Addictions
LGBT
Relationship issues
Family conflicts
Eating disorders
Sleeping disorders
Parenting issues
Career difficulties
Bipolar disorder
Depression
Coping with life changes
Coaching
Compassion fatigue
ADHD
Body image
Co-morbidity
Coping with natural or human-caused disaster
Drug and alcohol addiction
Forgiveness
Impulsivity
Jealousy
Men's issues
Mood disorders
Panic disorder and panic attacks
Personality disorders
Post-traumatic stress
Self-love
Sexual dysfunction

Approaches Michael names

Naming an approach is not evidence of training in it. This directory copies what each therapist lists and does not check training records.

Online support

Approaches that translate to online care

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy focuses on noticing unhelpful thoughts and testing new behaviors to reduce anxiety and depression. Sessions often include homework and practical exercises to try between meetings. Dialectical Behavior Therapy teaches emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal skills to manage strong feelings and reduce impulsive reactions. EMDR involves structured processing of distressing memories using bilateral stimulation alongside talk-based reflection to lessen the emotional charge of traumatic memories.

Choosing the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will talk with each person about their goals and preferences and then suggest strategies to try. That process is collaborative - methods can be combined or adjusted as needs change.

Online therapy offers flexible ways to connect. Video calls let people work face-to-face when a longer session is useful. Phone sessions can be easier when bandwidth is limited or a simpler check-in is needed. Live chat and text messaging are options for brief check-ins, skill coaching, and ongoing support between sessions. These formats help fit therapy into busy schedules and reduce travel time while keeping focus on skills, processing, and progress.

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Questions people ask

What kinds of problems does Michael help with?

He works with trauma and abuse, grief, anxiety, depression, addiction, relationship and intimacy concerns, self-esteem, anger, sleep and eating issues, parenting strain, career questions, ADHD, bipolar and other mood or personality challenges.

What is his therapy style like?

Michael offers validation and practical guidance. He focuses on building a strong therapeutic connection, using discussion, reflection, and in-session practice to help people try new coping skills.

How much experience does he bring?

He has ten years of experience working in school settings and community mental health, supporting people across a range of concerns and ages.

What credentials and location apply to his practice?

He holds MI LMSW and OR LCSW credentials and practices from Michigan.

Can people meet with him in languages other than English?

Sessions are offered in English.

What session formats does he use online?

He offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging for online work.

How are fees and billing handled?

Cost varies by location and therapist terms; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

What should I do to start working together?

Use the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions based on the therapist's availability.

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