Michael Garrison , LMSW, LCSW

Michael Garrison is a Michigan-based school social worker who combines years of classroom experience with extensive community mental health practice. He has worked in school settings with children for several years and spent close to a decade serving in community mental health agencies, supporting children, adults, and couples living with severe and persistent mental illness (SPMI).

He has specialized experience with parent management training - the Oregon model (PMTO), helping parents develop positive role modeling strategies that emphasize respect and safety. His clinical work includes treatment for trauma, addiction, personality disorders, and mood disorders, and he addresses a broad range of concerns such as grief, intimacy issues, anger, self-esteem, anxiety, and addictions.

Michael brings formal training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Motivational Interviewing (MI), and he is a certified EMDR therapist. He describes his approach as supportive and validating, placing strong value on the therapeutic relationship as a central factor in growth and change. He encourages insight through reflection, discussion, and practice, meeting people where they are and focusing sessions on goals and objectives that promote a more fulfilling life and improved mental wellness.

He holds the credentials LMSW and LCSW, which stand for Licensed Master Social Worker and Licensed Clinical Social Worker. He looks forward to the opportunity to meet and work alongside individuals seeking change and healing.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care for Recovery

Michael is trained in several evidence-based approaches that translate well to remote work. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps identify and change unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns; it is often used for anxiety, depression, and stress-related concerns and focuses on practical skills and goal-oriented strategies. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) emphasizes emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness; it is useful for intense emotions, impulsivity, and relationship challenges. As a certified EMDR therapist, he also uses Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing to help process traumatic memories and reduce their ongoing emotional impact.

Choosing the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Michael collaborates with each person to determine which methods best fit their needs, goals, and preferences, adjusting techniques over time to support growth and resilience.

Online therapy options - including video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging - offer flexibility for people with busy schedules or limited local resources. These formats make it easier to maintain consistent work on therapy goals, access regular check-ins, and integrate therapeutic practice into daily life while working with licensed professionals and therapists who can guide the process.