- Stress and anxiety
- Trauma and grief
- Confidence building
About Michael
Michael Leffingwell is a licensed professional counselor (LPC) in Texas with 13 years of experience. He focuses on stress and anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief and loss, and self-esteem. He talks plainly with people and aims to make the first steps feel manageable.
He uses a tailored approach that changes to fit each person's needs. Sessions emphasize listening and practical steps for everyday problems. Michael combines talk-based work with body-focused strategies when trauma or strong physical reactions are present.
Common concerns he helps people with include coping with life changes, managing motivation, and building confidence. He also addresses attachment and abandonment worries, caregiver stress, chronic pain or illness, and substance-related struggles. Communication problems and family of origin issues are part of his practice too.
He draws on Attachment-Based Therapy to look at relationship patterns and how they shape feelings. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is used to notice and shift unhelpful thoughts and behaviors. Somatic techniques help people feel calmer in their bodies when anxiety or trauma show up.
Michael describes his style as respectful and compassionate. He works with each person to shape the conversations and the plan. If someone is ready to begin, he supports them through the first steps and toward clearer day-to-day coping.
He uses a tailored approach that changes to fit each person's needs. Sessions emphasize listening and practical steps for everyday problems. Michael combines talk-based work with body-focused strategies when trauma or strong physical reactions are present.
Common concerns he helps people with include coping with life changes, managing motivation, and building confidence. He also addresses attachment and abandonment worries, caregiver stress, chronic pain or illness, and substance-related struggles. Communication problems and family of origin issues are part of his practice too.
He draws on Attachment-Based Therapy to look at relationship patterns and how they shape feelings. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is used to notice and shift unhelpful thoughts and behaviors. Somatic techniques help people feel calmer in their bodies when anxiety or trauma show up.
Michael describes his style as respectful and compassionate. He works with each person to shape the conversations and the plan. If someone is ready to begin, he supports them through the first steps and toward clearer day-to-day coping.
How these approaches translate to online work
Attachment-Based Therapy looks at how early relationship patterns shape current feelings and reactions. Online sessions can help identify those patterns and practice new ways of relating through conversation and reflection. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, focuses on noticing thoughts and behaviors and testing small experiments to change them. It often includes clear exercises and short homework to try between sessions. Somatic Therapy pays attention to how stress and trauma show up in the body; online sessions can teach simple, body-focused practices to reduce tension and ground attention.Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will discuss goals, preferences, and what feels helpful, then adjust methods as needed. Clients and the therapist decide together what to try first and how to measure progress.
The practical benefit of online therapy is making sessions fit into everyday life. It can reduce travel time and make scheduling easier around work or caregiving. Before booking, confirm which session formats are offered for this counselor, since the biography does not list specific options. Once formats are confirmed, online meetings can allow shorter check-ins, regular weekly sessions, or focused skill-building without the need to rearrange a full day.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Additional focus areas
AbandonmentAttachment issuesCaregiver issues and stressChronic pain, illness, and disabilityCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsDisruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)DissociationDrug and alcohol addictionEating and food-related issuesFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFertility issuesFirst responder issuesForgivenessGuilt and shameHIV / AIDSHospice and end-of-life counselingInfidelityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeMen's issuesMidlife crisisVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMood disordersObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPanic disorder and panic attacksPhobiasPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressProcess addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-loveSex addictionSexual assault and abuseSexual dysfunctionSexualityTraumatic brain injuryWomen's issuesWorkplace issues
Therapeutic approaches
Attachment-Based TherapyClient-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Solution-Focused TherapySomatic TherapyTrauma-Focused TherapyInternal Family Systems
Experience
13+ years
Credentials
Texas
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does this therapist commonly address?
He works with stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, and self-esteem challenges among other issues listed in his specialties.
How would you describe his therapeutic style?
He uses a respectful, compassionate approach that adapts to each person's needs and focuses on clear, practical steps.
What kind of background and experience does he have?
He has 13 years of professional experience working with a range of concerns including trauma, motivation, and coping with life changes.
Which credentials and region are listed for this therapist?
He is a licensed professional counselor, LPC, practicing in Texas.
What languages are supported and can international clients work with him?
Sessions are offered in English and he is not accepting international clients.
What session formats are available for meeting with him?
Confirm current session options before booking, as the biography does not list specific session formats.
How is cost handled for sessions?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
What are the steps to get started with this therapist?
Select the continue button on this profile, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to the therapist's availability.