MidlifeTherapists.com

Therapist listings are provided by BetterHelp. We will earn a commission at no additional cost to you if you use our links to purchase.

Michael Henderson

Michael Henderson, LCSW

Therapist · Virginia · 16+ years of experience

Midlife-focused LCSW guiding practical change

Continue with Michael

Opens BetterHelp in a new tab, where you can review online therapy options.

  • Stress and anxiety
  • Relationship issues
  • Goal focused

About Michael

Michael Henderson is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with 16 years in clinical practice and a long history in behavioral health. He focuses on helping adults manage stress, anxiety, depression, bipolar mood challenges, and relationship or self-esteem concerns. Michael describes a direct yet collaborative communication style that becomes clearer as trust grows in the therapy room.

He has worked across inpatient hospitals, community behavioral health centers, and outpatient settings. Those roles gave him experience with many mental health diagnoses and with coordinating community resources. This background informs how he helps people navigate complex health and life situations.

Michael uses several evidence-based therapeutic techniques drawn from approaches like cognitive-based skills, mindfulness, acceptance strategies, and structured talk therapies. In practice he helps clients identify goals, spot barriers, and test new ways of thinking and behaving. Sessions often include skill practice and planning between meetings.

He is trauma-informed and affirming of LGBTQIA identities, and says he enjoys working with people from diverse cultural backgrounds. He aims to learn each person’s story during intake, build a trusting working relationship, and set clear, shared goals for therapy.

Clients can expect a collaborative pace where the therapist helps map steps toward stated goals. Michael emphasizes practical problem solving, clarity about options, and focused work on obstacles that interfere with health and wellbeing. He encourages clients to steer their own progress while offering guidance and tools to move forward.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesSelf esteemBipolar disorderDepression

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAdoption and foster careAttachment issuesAvoidant personalityBlended family issuesCancerCaregiver issues and stressChronic pain, illness, and disabilityCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDependent personalityDisruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)DissociationDivorce and separationDrug and alcohol addictionEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFatherhood issuesForgivenessGuilt and shameHIV / AIDSHospice and end-of-life counselingImpulsivityInfidelityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeMen's issuesMidlife crisisMood disordersObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPanic disorder and panic attacksParanoiaPersonality disordersPolyamory / non-monogamous relationshipsPost-traumatic stressSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-loveSexualitySocial anxiety and phobiaSomatizationWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues

Experience

16+ years

Credentials

Virginia

Languages

English

Approaches that guide online work and practical goals

Michael draws from evidence-based techniques that focus on changing unhelpful thoughts and building coping skills. Cognitive-based approaches help people identify and shift patterns of thinking that increase anxiety or depression, and they often include simple homework to test new ideas in daily life.

Mindfulness and acceptance strategies teach ways to notice thoughts and feelings without getting swept away by them. These methods can be useful for stress management, mood regulation, and coping with ongoing health concerns by slowing reactivity and increasing moment-to-moment awareness.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will discuss goals, try methods that fit a person’s needs, and adjust techniques over time. Clients help set priorities and choose which tools to practice between sessions.

Confirm session formats before booking to know how sessions are delivered. Many people find online work helpful because it can fit into daily life more easily, reduce travel time, and allow shorter check-ins when schedules are tight. Online sessions also make it easier to connect with a therapist from different locations within the supported region. Ask about scheduling options and what will work best for your routine.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns does Michael help with?

He works with stress, anxiety, relationship problems, self-esteem concerns, bipolar mood issues, and depression. He also addresses related areas like attachment, abandonment, caregiver stress, chronic illness, and communication problems.

What is his therapeutic style like?

His style starts subtle and becomes more direct as rapport develops. He focuses on setting goals together and using practical techniques to work through barriers.

How much clinical experience does he have?

He has 16 years as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and additional years in broader behavioral health settings. That history includes inpatient, community, and outpatient roles.

Where is he licensed and based?

He holds a VA LCSW and practices in Virginia.

Which languages are supported for sessions?

Sessions are offered in English.

Can I work with him from outside the United States?

International clients are not currently accepted. Sessions are limited to clients within the supported region.

How does payment and cost work?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability, and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.

What should I do to begin therapy?

Use the Start Therapy button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule sessions based on the therapist’s availability.

Michael Henderson Online therapy options on BetterHelp

Continue with Michael