(he/him)
Often rebooked
Greetings Friends! I am a CA Licensed Clinical Social Worker and have been happily supporting folks in need for over 30 years. My approach is offering Compassionate Communication and deep listening with mindfulness, while honoring our spiritual connection. Clients become self-empowered based on our shared common ground of equality, inclusiveness, mutual respect, and authenticity. I also combine transformational coaching with my counseling support which encourages a profound shift in "being" for my clients from being stuck in the old painful mental conditioning to discovering and expressing their True Self.
Our first session is a key opportunity to get to know and begin to trust one another. After introducing each other and enjoying the safety of a judgment free zone, the client is invited to share what brings them into counseling as we develop goals and action steps toward fulfilment and self-realization.
My greatest strength is my own personal successful recovery from a traumatic childhood of emotional, physical, religious abuse, mental and sexual abuse. I have also recovered from alcoholism, drug misuse, attention deficit disorder and depression. My passion is to be the joy, the peace and the compassion that I want to see and be in the world. In the Spirit of Dr. Martin L. King, Jr., I seek to build the beloved community one person at a time through mutual respect, equality, loving friendliness, and committed service to others. I have strongly diversified skills, experience, and training in Compassionate Communication, Acceptance Commitment Therapy, Dialectic Behavioral Therapy, Trauma Recovery, and treatment of substance misuse. My clients thrive with the joy, enthusiasm, and unconditional acceptance I bring to our journey together.
I enjoy and appreciate working with a diversity of clients. Many struggle with traumatic childhood issues, relationship challenges, lack of self-confidence, struggles with substances, divorce recovery, and transitioning from religious abuse.
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy offers a judgment free zone for the client based on values of unconditional acceptance, mindfulness Presence, core values of inclusiveness and equality. The Commitment aspect honors the integrity, motivation and goals important to the client on their journey. Compassionate Communication is the foundation for client support and dialogue.
Compassion Focused
Compassionate Communication supports the client in feeling safely connected with the Counselor/Coach and supported with loving friendliness, understanding and together co-creating safe, sacred space.
Transpersonal
With Transformational Coaching I support the client in getting into a Power within them and still much greater than them to enhance personal potential, joyfully free living and reaching their goals.
6 ratings with written reviews
November 9, 2025
He has a lot of experience and insight into the specific issues I needed help with, which is why I chose him, and it has been a good fit. He immediately provided me with calming/mindfulness tools to help with my bubbling anxiety and difficult life situation. I look forward to his guidance as my husband and I start couples therapy. I feel confidant that he can support us both through difficult conversations.
July 25, 2025
MJM's self-description in the profile was unique among the therapists in his style, elements of practice, inclusion of "coaching", etc. (read it for yourself, it's quite obvious). He seems very knowledgeable in this practice, and I like the way he strings it all together for the individual. Should be quite practical, I hope.
May 8, 2025
Michael has been instrumental in my therapy journey. His calm, compassionate presence and mindfulness-based approach—including meditation and practical tools—create a space for transformative reflection and personal growth. I feel grounded, supported, and met with genuine care and respect in each session. I’m deeply grateful for his thoughtful guidance and look forward to continuing our work together.