About Michael
Michael Tidstrand offers calm, practical support for people facing stress, anxiety, grief, depression, and life changes. He introduces simple ways to cope and helps people find clearer footing when emotions feel overwhelming. Michael uses straightforward listening and questions to help clients name what matters and what gets in the way.
He is a California LPCC, which stands for Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor. Michael draws on ten years of experience and a master's degree in clinical psychology to guide conversations.
Background and approach
Sessions focus on what is useful right now, not on labels or long explanations. His approach combines evidence-based methods with a person-focused stance. That might mean learning skills from cognitive behavioral therapy to shift unhelpful patterns, practicing mindfulness and acceptance from ACT to live with hard thoughts, or using attachment-informed ideas to improve important relationships.
He adapts tools to each individual's pace and needs. Michael emphasizes active listening and curiosity. He works with clients to set clear, manageable goals and checks in on progress regularly.
When needed, he teaches practical techniques for emotional regulation and stress reduction. People connect with him for short-term problem solving or longer-term exploration. He accepts international clients and offers sessions in English across video calls, phone, live chat, or text messaging.
To begin, a simple matching questionnaire helps pair the client with a schedule that works.
How these approaches translate to online work
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT, focuses on noticing thoughts and taking actions that align with personal values. In sessions that can include short exercises and mindfulness practice, ACT helps when worry or avoidance get in the way of living well.Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, looks at patterns of thought and behavior and teaches tools to change them. Online CBT often uses worksheets, brief skill practice between sessions, and clear step-by-step goals to reduce symptoms like anxiety and depression.
Finding the right approach is part of the process and happens together. The therapist will ask about goals, try techniques, and adjust methods based on what feels helpful. That collaborative exploration helps match methods to a client's needs and preferences rather than assuming one size fits all.
Online formats provide practical flexibility. Video calls allow face-to-face conversation and screen-sharing for worksheets, phone sessions work well when bandwidth is limited, and live chat or text messaging suit quick check-ins or brief skill rehearsals. These options make it easier to fit therapy into a busy day and to continue support when travel or relocation occurs.
Questions people ask
What concerns does Michael help with?
What is his therapeutic style?
How much experience does he have?
What are his credentials and location?
Are sessions offered in other languages or countries?
Which session formats are available?
How does pricing work?
What should I do to get started?
What this counselor works with
Most often
Also listed
- ADHD
- Bipolar disorder
- Compassion fatigue
- Coping with life changes
- Family conflicts
- Self esteem
Therapeutic approaches
- Experience
- 10 years
- Licensed
- California
- Languages
- English