Michael Valdes, LCSW

Michael Valdes is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) practicing in Tennessee with 17 years of experience offering psychotherapy. As an LCSW he is trained to assess, support, and guide people through emotional, behavioral, and relational challenges using clinical skills and practical strategies. He brings a compassionate, client-focused approach that honors each person’s values and goals.

He works with a wide range of concerns including addictions, relationship and family matters, depression, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, sexual and intimacy-related issues, ADHD, bipolar disorder, and stress related to life transitions or career changes. He also has experience supporting people with LGBT concerns, compassion fatigue, and issues related to attachment, abandonment, infidelity, and communication problems. His experience includes work with drug and alcohol addiction as well as alternative sex culture topics such as BDSM and kink.

Clinically he draws from several evidence-informed approaches - including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Client-Centered methods, and existential perspectives - adapting techniques to the needs of each client. He emphasizes collaborative work, helping clients learn skills, explore values, and build resilience while navigating life’s difficulties. Michael welcomes the opportunity to support people who are ready to make changes and pursue greater well-being.

Therapeutic approaches and online care

Michael Valdes uses several practical therapeutic approaches to support clients in an online setting. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people clarify their values and accept difficult emotions while taking actions that move them toward a meaningful life - it can be helpful for anxiety, depression, and life transitions. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, offering concrete strategies for managing symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress. Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes a respectful, nonjudgmental relationship where the therapist listens and reflects so clients can explore their own solutions and personal growth.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. Michael works with each person to determine which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences, adapting strategies over time as progress is made and circumstances change.

Online therapy offers practical flexibility - sessions can occur by video call, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging to fit different schedules and comfort levels. These options can make regular therapy more accessible for those juggling work, family, or mobility limitations, while still allowing licensed professionals to provide consistent support and therapeutic guidance.