Michael States

Michael States, LMFT Hello, it’s nice to see you. Yes, my name really is Michael and no, my parents did not want a boy. I specialize in working with individuals and family members in the area of medical, chronic and life-threatening illness along with a broad spectrum of other significant life changes and challenges. My commitment is to address the breadth of individual and family needs across all stages and phases of an illness or other non-medical life transitions. My work includes 34 years of experience in the application of increasing self-awareness utilizing psychotherapy, mindful exploration and where appropriate, visualization and guided imagery as tools to manage pain, minimize side effects of treatments, reduce stress and improve quality of life. In my personal and professional experience, I know that each individual has their own inner knowledge of what is true for them. My job is to assist you in finding and exploring this without having an agenda of “how someone should make the journey.” There is no one “right way.” There is not a recipe. My job is to be a tour guide to assist you in accessing the place within that knows what resonates as true for you. Through our work together, I will be a crucible to hold whatever is happening without judgment. “Michael is a staunch advocate of online therapy.” Well before it became mainstream, beginning in 2002 I participated in multiple research projects exploring the efficacy of online therapy. I facilitated a variety of online groups for those diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, parents of teens with cancer and other diagnosis specific groups. In doing so, I was able to ensure patients could receive quality care beyond the realm of the traditional therapy model. For more than 21 years, I served as Clinical Program Director of The Wellness Community-West Los Angeles, the founding The Wellness Community, now called Cancer Support Community, where I facilitated more than 8,000 groups for cancer patients and their loved ones.