Rated 5.0 stars out of 5, 36 ratings

Michael Southerland

LMFT, 15 years of experience

Authentic
Humorous
Open-minded

About me

My name is Michael Southerland and I have over 3o years experience in working with people in mental health, 10 years as a licensed therapist. I have worked in child welfare and adoptions, juvenile systems, and community mental health. I have been in private practice for a total of 8 years. I truly enjoy helping others become their best selves. I am looking forward to meeting you.

Get to know me

In our first session together, here's what you can expect

Clients can expect a warm and enthusiastic acceptance for me. I am a Rogerian therapist that uses other therapies within a context of genuineness, empathy, and unconditional positive regard. I believe that humor is a good source of healing. I use humor in sessions and you can expect that from day one. I do take therapy seriously and will provide a safe place for you to share of yourself from the beginning.

The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions

I believe greatest strengths as a therapist include empathy, a non-judgmental approach, humor, and an ability to find the roots of problems.

The clients I'm best positioned to serve

I find I work best with those who want to get better. I specialize in LGBTQ issues, children, autistic, and couples (gay or straight).

Specialties

Top specialties

I identify as

Man

Serves ages

Teenagers (13 to 17)

My treatment methods

Person-centered (Rogerian)

I believe that all therapies fit within the Person-centered model. All clients will experience genuineness, and unconditional positive regard. I have years of experience with this model and use it alongside other modalities, such as, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Solution-focused therapy.

Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)

This is by far the best treatment for anxiety and depression. By focusing on thoughts related to the feelings, the treatment goes to the causes of these negative feelings. Change your thinking, change your feelings and behavior.

Mindfulness-Based Therapy

Using mindfulness will help you feel better in the moment by taking you out of the past, where depression lives and out of the future where anxiety lives.

Solution Focused Brief Treatment

Sometimes therapy is brief for on specific problem. Solution Focused Therapy is a great method to use in situations that are not as complicated as others. SFBT sees a problem as something outside of the person, not a characteristic of the person

Couples Counseling

I am very experienced in working with couples and enjoy this a great deal.

Location

Offers in-person in 15235 Burbank Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 91411, Unit A4Virtual

Licensed in

Rated 5.0 stars out of 5, 36 ratings

1 rating with written reviews

February 19, 2025

It is nice to meet you. I think it's good that we have a lot in common, especially all of the LGBTQ connections. This is reassuring. I'm looking forward to working with you. See you next week!

Verified client, age 55-64

Review shared after session 1 with Michael