Michael Perkins , LCSW

Michael Perkins is a Missouri-licensed therapist with more than 20 years of clinical and counseling experience and over 25 years teaching social work and human services. He holds an MSW, which is a Master of Social Work, and an LCSW, which stands for Licensed Clinical Social Worker. He works with adults and families within Missouri and does not take clients who reside outside the state.

His practice focuses on helping people cope with life changes and navigate relationship challenges, family conflicts, and parenting concerns. He also addresses anxiety, depression, stress, trauma and abuse, anger, intimacy-related issues, attention difficulties, bipolar concerns, and career or purpose questions. Additional areas of focus include adoption and foster care, aging and geriatric issues, caregiver stress, communication and control concerns, separation and divorce, fatherhood issues, guilt and shame, infidelity, isolation and loneliness, and compassion fatigue.

Clinically, he draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy combined with positive psychology and mindfulness practices, and he integrates elements of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy as appropriate. He emphasizes clients' existing strengths and what is already going well as the foundation for change, and he often offers practical between-session activities and readings to reinforce progress. He approaches work collaboratively, inviting clients to shape goals and strategies while offering tools to address patterns and build new skills.

If someone is in crisis and considering self-harm or suicide, Michael provides immediate resources including the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling 988 or chatting at 988lifeline.org, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255, the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741, The Trevor Project at 866-488-7386 or texting START to 678678 for LGBTQIA+ people under 25, and Befrienders Worldwide for international helplines.

Therapeutic Approaches for Online Support

Michael Perkins frequently uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, which helps people identify and change unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns to reduce symptoms like anxiety and depression and improve daily functioning. He also incorporates Client-Centered Therapy, a collaborative, empathic approach that focuses on the person's own goals and strengths and can be especially useful for relationship, identity, and life-purpose concerns. Mindfulness Therapy is another tool he uses - it teaches moment-to-moment awareness and stress-reduction skills that can help with emotional regulation and coping with difficult feelings.

Choosing the right approach is part of the work together. He treats the selection of methods as a collaborative process, adapting strategies to fit each client's needs, goals, and preferences rather than applying a one-size-fits-all model.

Online therapy through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging offers flexibility for busy schedules, makes it easier to maintain continuity during life transitions, and lets people access licensed professionals from home or other convenient locations. These options support consistent progress while accommodating different communication styles and practical needs.