Michael Shaughnessy , LMHC

Michael Shaughnessy brings 39 years of clinical experience to his work, blending professional skill with a warm, often humorous presence. He enjoys tennis, running, college football, his work, and his wife (not necessarily in that order), and he draws on decades of personal and professional experience when supporting others through difficult transitions. Michael has served in a variety of settings, including inpatient treatment for substance use, co-dependency, and eating disorders, and has maintained a private practice both in group settings and as a solo practitioner.

He holds the credential LMHC, which stands for Licensed Mental Health Counselor, and practices in Florida. Over the years he has assisted people facing depression, anxiety, trauma from distressing life events, relationship struggles, and the confusion that can come from getting a little lost along the way. He has also worked with many couples striving to repair or strengthen their marriages and with people from diverse cultural backgrounds.

Clinically he is eclectic with a strong leaning toward experiential work, and he emphasizes acceptance of self and others as central to well-being. He often uses humor to ease tension and describes himself as tenacious - he does not give up easily. Michael aims to help clients explore patterns, restore balance between internal parent, adult, and child selves, and take practical steps toward meaningful change.

How Client-Centered and Existential Approaches Work Online

Client-centered therapy emphasizes an accepting, nonjudgmental relationship in which the client leads the pace and focus of the work. In practice this approach supports people who are coping with anxiety, grief, relationship challenges, and the need to clarify values by prioritizing empathy, active listening, and validation.

Existential therapy explores questions of meaning, freedom, responsibility, and choice. It can help people who feel stuck, face major life changes, or wrestle with identity and purpose by encouraging honest reflection and taking responsibility for the directions they choose.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and the therapist works collaboratively with each person to identify which methods align with their needs, goals, and preferences. Licensed professionals often blend elements from different approaches to tailor care to the individual.

Online care via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging offers flexibility and makes it easier to fit therapeutic work into busy lives. These options allow people to engage with therapists from different locations, maintain continuity when schedules change, and choose formats that feel most comfortable for open conversation and reflection.