Michael Lucchesi
I'm a gentleman in my early 50s who has worked in the mental health field for over 20 years now (licensed MFT since 2014). I finally have more time and availability for my private practice and am very excited to tap into my growth and experience to help others make positive changes in their lives. My other roles have included case management for those with serious mental illness and also crisis evaluations. Over the years, I have worked with men, women, children, straight and gay, young and elderly, married, divorced, single, justice-involved, professionals, and also those between jobs. The traits that have served me best are being easygoing and honest, along with genuinely caring for others and their wellness.
First session
A first session should include getting to know each other, asking about past therapy experiences (if any), likely exploring some upbringing/background/life history, and learning what someone's current goals are and why they are on the path towards them now. No judgments, no 'psychobabble,' just a conversation about expectations and exploring if we are a good fit for each other. Two people having an open conversation and each asking and answering questions as we go along.
Strengths
I have lived through losses from deaths to divorce, worked with and for every kind of person, served others in desperate times, and also have enjoyed the wins life can offer. Having been around many people on their most difficult days has allowed me to hone my compassion, acceptance, and genuine ability to meet people where they are in the moment. Having also spent my life working in my vineyard, I understand how seasons and phases of life have real meaning, maintenance is necessary for anything to flourish, luck and weather are not controlled and rarely foreseen, and good effort is the only path to good outcomes. Hope and positivity matter. Relationships matter.
Ideal clients
An ideal client might be a person in mid-life or later, going through a major life change (divorce, infidelity, loss of a loved one to death, change of career or job, maybe struggling with substance use) or even just wanting to make new choices in their life. That person should have an open mind, a willingness to explore and learn about themselves, and a real hope that progress and wellness are achievable. Another ideal sort of client is someone who is trying to cope with growing stressors, perhaps from a difficult job, trouble among their family members or other key relationships, or someone facing difficult choices in life.
Treatment methods
Eclectic
I use an eclectic approach, which means I may pull from different modalities to see and understand an issue, explore solutions, weigh the potential value of different efforts and interventions, and also explore what may work best for a given client and their particular life.
Location
Virtual sessions