Michael Moates, EdD
Michael Moates, EdD
(he/him)
Hi, I’m Dr. Michael Moates. I’m a therapist and professor who helps people work through tough emotions, life changes, and everyday stress. I’m here to listen, support you without judgment, and help you figure out what’s getting in the way of feeling more like yourself. Whether you’re overwhelmed, stuck, or just need someone to talk to, we’ll work through it together.
Get to know me
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
In the first session, clients can expect a relaxed and supportive conversation focused on getting to know each other. I’ll ask about what’s bringing you in, what you’ve been struggling with, and what you hope to get out of therapy. We’ll talk about your background, any current stressors, and what has or hasn’t helped in the past. There’s no pressure to share everything right away. It’s a space to feel heard, start building trust, and begin making sense of what’s been weighing on you.
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
One of my greatest strengths as a provider is my ability to create a safe, nonjudgmental space where clients feel genuinely seen and understood. I bring a calm and compassionate presence, which helps people open up even when they’re carrying pain or uncertainty. I’m also skilled at identifying patterns beneath the surface and helping clients connect the dots between their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. My background in clinical psychology, behavior analysis, and counseling allows me to blend insight with practical tools, so clients not only feel supported but also empowered to make meaningful changes.
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
I’m best positioned to serve clients who feel emotionally overwhelmed, stuck in patterns that no longer serve them, or unsure of how to move forward in life. This includes people navigating anxiety, mood swings, relationship challenges, identity struggles, or big life transitions. I work especially well with individuals who tend to overthink, feel deeply, or have a hard time regulating emotions, often professionals, students, creatives, or neurodivergent adults who are trying to hold it all together but feel like they're falling apart inside. If you’re someone who’s been trying to manage on your own and are finally ready for real support, I’m here to help.
About Michael Moates, EdD
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VirtualMy treatment methods
Motivational Interviewing
My approach to therapy is a bit different than what you might expect. It's focused on understanding your own goals and motivations for change. Think of me like your teammate who helps you find your own reasons to take steps towards the life you want. Sometimes we might talk about the challenges you're facing and the benefits of making changes. Other times, we might explore your strengths and successes from the past to remind you of what's possible. You're the one calling the shots – I'm here to listen, offer support, and help you tap into your own reasons for wanting things to be different. The main idea is that lasting change comes from within. I'll help you understand your own mixed feelings and find the spark that will keep you moving forward.
Narrative
Narrative therapy is a powerful approach I often use with clients who feel defined by their problems or past experiences. My experience with this method has shown me how transformative it can be when people begin to see their story not as fixed or broken, but as something they have the power to shape. In practice, I help clients externalize the problem, viewing it as something separate from who they are, so they can begin to reclaim control and reauthor their narrative. We explore the dominant stories that have influenced their identity, often shaped by family, culture, trauma, or self-doubt, and then work together to uncover alternative stories that reflect their strengths, values, and resilience. I ask reflective questions that help clients see themselves more clearly and challenge the labels or messages they may have internalized. Whether someone is struggling with anxiety, identity confusion, grief, or relationship issues, narrative therapy allows us to make space for new meaning and direction. It is not just about rewriting the past but about empowering clients to live more intentionally in the present.
Couples Counseling
Couples counseling is a space I create for partners to feel heard, respected, and understood without blame or shame. My experience in this area has taught me that most relationship struggles are not about one person being right or wrong but about patterns of communication, unmet needs, and emotional disconnection that build over time. I help couples identify these patterns and learn how to respond to each other with more empathy, clarity, and emotional safety. In sessions, I guide couples to slow down their reactions, really listen to one another, and express what they are feeling beneath the surface. Whether they are facing conflict, trust issues, intimacy struggles, or simply feeling distant, we work together to rebuild connection and develop tools that support a stronger foundation. My goal is to help couples move from reactivity to understanding, from resentment to repair, and from disconnection to deeper emotional intimacy.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, is one of the core approaches I use in my practice because it is practical, evidence-based, and highly effective for many issues like anxiety, depression, self-esteem, and stress. My experience with CBT has shown me how powerful it can be when clients begin to recognize how their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors are connected. In sessions, I help clients identify unhelpful or distorted thought patterns that are fueling emotional distress or keeping them stuck. Together, we explore where these thoughts come from, how they affect day-to-day choices, and how we can challenge and reframe them. I also integrate behavioral strategies, such as exposure tasks, habit tracking, or behavioral activation, depending on the client’s needs. The goal is not just to feel better in the moment but to build long-term skills that help clients manage challenges more effectively. CBT empowers people to take an active role in their healing by learning how to shift their thinking, break cycles of avoidance or negativity, and create healthier responses in everyday life.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
Dialectical Behavior Therapy, or DBT, is a treatment approach I often use with clients who struggle with intense emotions, impulsive behaviors, relationship conflicts, or feeling out of control. My experience with DBT has been especially helpful for individuals dealing with mood disorders, borderline personality traits, chronic anxiety, or difficulty managing stress. What I appreciate most about DBT is its balance between acceptance and change. It teaches clients to validate their experiences while also learning new ways to cope and respond. In practice, I integrate the core DBT skills: mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. I guide clients through practical tools they can use in the moment, such as grounding techniques during emotional overwhelm or scripts for setting boundaries in relationships. We focus on building emotional awareness and learning how to pause before reacting so that clients can make choices that align with their values rather than their impulses. DBT offers both structure and compassion, helping clients feel more empowered, stable, and confident in their ability to manage life’s ups and downs.