Michael Kelley
Hi! I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) for over 20 years having worked in a variety of clinical settings including community mental health, schools, substance abuse, and private practice in both CA and TX. I work with adults to (re)gain a healthy sense of self, improve emotional and functional well-being, and build healthy relationships.
My approach is guided by experiential knowledge, systems thinking, relational connection, and spiritual awareness, helping clients explore the emotional and existential patterns shaping their lives so change is both effective and meaningful.
My approach is guided by years of clinical training and experiential knowledge, systems thinking, relational connection, and spiritual awareness, helping clients explore the emotional and existential patterns shaping their lives so change is both effective and meaningful.
First session
In our first session, we will briefly review intake paperwork, then dive into the challenges (and opportunities!) that brought you into counseling. Through the counseling process, as the therapist, I come to understand your life experience and can begin to assist you in addressing issues that will help heal and facilitate your growth so that you may move forward in creating and actualizing the life you want.
Strengths
Having worked successfully with hundreds of clients over the years, one of my greatest strengths as a provider is my ability to really be present and hold space for clients as you express and work through your issues, actively listening, asking clarifying questions, deeply considering the depth of their experience and concern, finding meaning and purpose, and supporting them along the way as you move into resolution.
Ideal clients
With over 20 years of practice as a psychotherapist, I enjoy serving clients who are ready to work on their personal, interpersonal, and relational issues and goals. This includes looking not only at the presenting and mental health issues, it also includes taking a deeper look into the possible origins, influences, and patterns in the client's life that may have contributed to current life circumstance, then working together to heal, gain deeper awareness, and strategize potential solutions, perspectives, mindsets, and approaches to issue resolution and greater health.
Treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a practical, evidence-based approach that helps clients identify and change unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to emotional distress. Therapy is collaborative and goal-oriented, equipping clients with concrete skills to improve mood, increase resilience, and create lasting change in daily life.
Relational
Relational Therapy focuses on how patterns of connection, attachment, and communication shape emotional well-being and repeat across important relationships. The therapeutic relationship itself becomes a living space to notice, repair, and transform these patterns, fostering greater authenticity, emotional safety, and intimacy both in and outside of therapy.
Person-centered (Rogerian)
Person-centered (Rogerian) therapy is a humanistic approach that emphasizes empathy, authenticity, and unconditional positive regard, creating a safe, nonjudgmental space where clients feel deeply heard and accepted. Rather than directing or interpreting, the therapist collaborates with the client, trusting their innate capacity for growth, insight, and self-directed change.
Strength-Based
A strengths-based approach centers on identifying and building upon each client’s existing abilities, values, and resilience rather than focusing solely on problems or pathology. Therapy emphasizes empowerment, hope, and practical strategies that help clients leverage their strengths to navigate challenges and create meaningful, sustainable change.
Solution Focused Brief Treatment
Solution-Focused therapy is a future- and goal-oriented, collaborative approach that emphasizes what is working and how to build on existing successes. Rather than dwelling on problems, therapy focuses on clear goals, small achievable steps, and practical solutions that support meaningful change.
Location
Virtual sessions
Identifies as
Top specialties
Other specialties
Serves
Licensed in
- CaliforniaLicense 50538