New to Grow
I’m Michael Woods Jr., a licensed professional clinical counselor with over 20 years of experience. I help people who are dealing with stress, pressure, and feeling stuck—even when things on the outside look like they should be working. My approach is real and straightforward. I’m not just here to listen—I’m here to help you understand what’s actually going on and give you practical tools you can use in your everyday life. I focus a lot on how your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors are connected, and how to start responding differently instead of reacting on autopilot. A big part of my work is helping people build awareness, take ownership, and develop the mental skills needed to handle challenges more effectively. I also bring in my background in athletics and performance, so there’s an emphasis on consistency, discipline, and doing the work—not just talking about it.
Clients can expect a direct, honest, and results-oriented approach. I’m not here to just listen—I’m here to help you understand what’s driving your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, and challenge patterns that are keeping you stuck. You can expect to be pushed to take ownership, build awareness, and apply practical tools outside of sessions. I focus on helping you respond with intention instead of reacting on autopilot. This work requires effort and consistency. If you’re willing to show up and do the work, you can expect real growth, stronger emotional control, and the ability to function at a higher level in your life.
What stands out about my approach is that I don’t just focus on insight—I focus on change. A lot of people already understand their problems, but they’re still stuck in the same patterns. My work is about helping you break those patterns and start operating differently in real time. I combine traditional therapeutic principles with a performance-based mindset. That means we’re not just talking about your life—we’re training how you think, respond, and show up under pressure. I emphasize awareness, emotional regulation, and intentional action so you can handle challenges more effectively instead of reacting on autopilot. Clients who work with me often see improvements in how they manage stress, respond to triggers, and follow through on what they say they want to change. The goal isn’t just to feel better in sessions—it’s to function better in your everyday life.
I am best positioned to serve adults. I have experience working with adults from college age to the age of 50. I have also found that I tend to connect and communicate well with adults and have had a lot of success in serving clients who are adults. Being able to connect with adults and relate well with adults in therapy is key for me.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I have experience in using CBT concerning helping client identify irrational thoughts that have been leading them to make decisions that her holding them back from the life that they truly want to live. I also use CBT to help client identify irrational beliefs that are leading them to not act on what they are truly wanting in life.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
I have experience using the form of therapy to help equip clients with skills and tools on how to regulating their emotions. I have experience using DBT concerning helping clients manage anxiety by learning to be more accepting of their reality to help them move forward and to also learn how to be present and be more mindful of their urges and thoughts around what could be keeping them in their perpetual cycle of believing and acting.