About Michael
Michael Gallese is a licensed counselor in California with ten years in behavioral health. He focuses on stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma and abuse, grief, and self-esteem. Michael uses a straightforward, collaborative style to help people make practical changes.
Before becoming a therapist he worked as a behavioral health technician, case manager, and substance abuse counselor. That hands-on history shapes how he approaches problems. He knows what struggling looks like in daily life, not only on paper.
Background and approach
Sessions are direct and goal-focused. Michael talks through what is driving patterns and offers clear feedback. He expects work between meetings so progress continues outside the session.
He often connects with people who tried therapy before and felt something was missing. He welcomes skepticism and uses it as part of the process to find useful strategies. The tone in sessions is honest, practical, and purpose-driven.
Michael draws on evidence-based therapeutic techniques to address painful memories, addictive behaviors, and stuck ways of coping. He helps people identify triggers, build healthier habits, and repair relationships with themselves and others. The work aims to reduce distress and build resilience.
Approaches and how online therapy fits your life
Evidence-based techniques are used to address trauma and addictive behavior. These approaches often involve gently revisiting difficult memories to reduce their hold, and teaching skills to manage intense feelings and cravings. That work aims to help people feel less reactive and regain control over daily choices.Another common focus is building healthier relationships and improving self-worth. Interventions here help identify unhelpful patterns, practice clearer communication, and develop self-compassion. These skills support recovery from shame, codependency, and isolation.
Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will discuss goals, try different methods when needed, and adjust plans based on what feels useful. Clients and therapist work together to pick tools that fit the person's needs and lifestyle.
Online therapy offers flexibility through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging. Video sessions allow face-to-face conversation from any reachable location, phone sessions use less bandwidth and can be easier when movement is needed, live chat supports shorter check-ins, and messaging lets people share thoughts between appointments. These options make it easier to keep therapy going around work, caregiving, or other obligations.
Questions people ask
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What this counselor works with
Also listed
- Experience
- 10 years
- Licensed
- California
- Languages
- English