About Michael
Dr. Michael Hayes helps people facing stress, anxiety, relationship strain, and life changes. He writes and talks plainly, and aims to make the first step feel manageable for someone who is worried or unsure.
He has 21 years of experience working in Tennessee and holds an LPC, Licensed Professional Counselor. His work often focuses on grief and loss, family conflict, and the daily pressures that lead to burnout or anxiety.
Background and approach
In sessions he builds a calm space for honest conversation. He listens first, then helps people notice patterns in thoughts and behavior. Practical tools are offered when they fit the situation, and progress is measured in small, doable steps.
Dr. Hayes uses a mix of approaches depending on the need. He draws on client-centered methods to follow each person's pace.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy helps when unhelpful beliefs or habits get in the way of feeling better. He also uses the Gottman Method for relationship concerns, focusing on communication and repair after conflict. Areas he often addresses include body image, caregiver stress, communication problems, control issues, divorce and separation, guilt and shame, isolation, and workplace difficulties.
People who reach out can expect straightforward conversation and collaborative planning. Dr. Hayes aims to help people regain a clearer sense of purpose and better ways of coping with everyday pressures.
Approaches that translate to online work
Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening and following the client's lead. It helps people feel heard and choose the pace of change, which can be useful when adjusting to a new routine or coping with grief.Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, looks at thoughts and behaviors that keep problems going. It uses short experiments and practical skills to reduce anxiety and improve daily functioning, which adapts well to exercises done between sessions.
The Gottman Method concentrates on communication patterns and rebuilding trust after conflict. It offers concrete conversation skills and repair strategies for relationship stress that can be practiced in real time between partners.
Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will collaborate with the client to choose methods that match their goals, needs, and comfort level. Plans are adjusted as progress is made and priorities change.
Online sessions are offered by video call, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging to increase flexibility. Video calls allow face-to-face conversation, phone sessions use less bandwidth, live chat can fit quick check-ins, and messaging supports ongoing reflection between appointments. This range helps people keep therapy moving around work, caregiving, and travel.
Questions people ask
What kinds of concerns does he help with?
What is his therapeutic style like?
How much experience does he have?
Where is he based and what credential does he hold?
In which languages are sessions offered?
Which session formats are available?
How are sessions charged and what about cancellations?
How do I begin work with him?
What this counselor works with
Most often
- Stress, Anxiety
- Relationship issues
- Family conflicts
Also listed
Therapeutic approaches
- Experience
- 21 years
- Licensed
- Tennessee
- Languages
- English