Michael Cummings , LCSW

Michael Cummings, LCSW, is a Kentucky-based therapist who draws on years of hands-on experience working with individuals, couples, and families across a range of concerns. Raised in the Appalachian region with a brief professional period in Knoxville, he values the restorative quality of the outdoors and brings a grounded, down-to-earth presence to his work. He describes his therapeutic style as warm, encouraging, direct, and active, blending clinical training, practical experience, creativity, and a measured sense of humor to meet each person where they are.

Michael tailors his approach by combining methods to fit individual needs. He frequently uses cognitive-behavioral techniques and acceptance work for common mental health concerns, applies behavioral family therapy for relationship and family issues, and employs S.M.A.R.T. recovery strategies for substance-use challenges. For sleep difficulties he draws on Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia. His clinical interests include depression, anxiety, stress management, adjustment, trauma, substance abuse, self-esteem and motivation, relationship and family discord, parenting challenges, grief, and sleep disturbances.

His background includes service on an Institutional Review Board for a federal agency, work as a Kentucky Board of Social Work clinical supervisor, time as a healthcare ethics consultant, 13 years providing clinical care for military veterans and their families within federal and state systems, and two years as a bereavement counselor for hospice programs. He brings 15 years of clinical experience to his practice and works to create practical, realistic plans that support meaningful change.