Michael Garrison , LMSW, LCSW

Michael Garrison is a Michigan-based school social worker with a background in both educational settings and community mental health. He has spent several years supporting children in schools and nearly a decade working in community mental health agencies with people experiencing severe and persistent mental illness, including children, adults, and couples. He brings practical experience with parent management training - Oregon model (PMTO), helping caregivers build positive role models grounded in respect and safety.

Michael has worked with trauma, addiction, personality disorders, and mood disorders, and he applies a range of clinical skills to meet diverse needs. He is trained in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Motivational Interviewing (MI), and he is a certified Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapist. He emphasizes support and validation in his approach and views the therapeutic relationship as a central factor in change and growth.

Michael encourages insight through reflection, discussion, and practice, meeting people where they are and focusing sessions on the goals and objectives that matter to each individual. He holds the credentials LMSW and LCSW - Licensed Master Social Worker and Licensed Clinical Social Worker - and seeks to help clients pursue a more fulfilling life and improved mental wellness. He looks forward to opportunities to meet and work alongside clients.

Approaches and Online Care for Trauma and Mood Challenges

Michael commonly uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy alongside certified EMDR work. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps people identify unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns and develop practical strategies to address anxiety, depression, stress, and related concerns. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) focuses on building skills for emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness, which can be useful for intense emotions, impulsivity, and relationship challenges. As a certified EMDR therapist, he offers a structured method to process distressing memories and trauma by guiding clients through targeted processing and integration.

Choosing the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Michael collaborates with clients to explore which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences, adjusting the plan as progress is made. That collaborative stance helps ensure therapy aligns with each person’s pace and priorities.

Online therapy options include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, which offer flexibility for scheduling and continuity of care. These formats make it easier to access licensed professionals from home or other convenient locations, and they let therapists tailor interactions to what works best for each client.