Therapist profile
Michael Valdes, LCSW
LCSW working with relationships and addiction
Continue with MichaelAbout
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Client-Centered Therapy
About Michael
Michael Valdes is an LCSW - Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Tennessee with 17 years of clinical experience. He works with adults facing relationship strain, parenting pressures, addiction, mood concerns, anxiety, grief, and identity questions related to sexual orientation. He also supports people dealing with trauma, attachment wounds, and issues around intimacy and commitment.
He favors clear, practical conversations. Sessions focus on identifying what feels stuck, naming patterns, and trying small changes to test what helps. Michael draws on approaches such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, cognitive work, and client-centered methods to help people notice thoughts and try different behaviors.
He commonly helps people who are coping with major life changes - separation, grief, chronic health stress, or career transitions. He also addresses relationship problems that show up in how someone communicates, handles jealousy, or manages control and boundaries. Issues like addiction, ADHD, and compassion fatigue are part of his caseload.
Michael describes therapy as collaborative. He listens for patterns that link past attachment wounds to current struggles. From there he and the person plan practical steps - new ways of speaking, setting limits, or practicing present-moment skills to reduce reactivity.
His background includes long-term clinical work in Tennessee settings. He uses evidence-informed tools from CBT and DBT alongside existential and acceptance-based practices to help people find clearer priorities and more workable day-to-day responses.
How sessions work
How his approaches translate to online work
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) encourages noticing thoughts and feeling while choosing actions that align with personal values. It can help when someone is stuck in avoidance, guilt, or uncertainty about commitments. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying unhelpful thinking patterns and trying concrete behavior changes to reduce anxiety and depressive symptoms. It is often used for mood, stress, and anxiety-related problems. Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes listening and reflecting so a person can clarify goals and make decisions at their own pace.Finding the right mix of these methods is part of the process. Michael will work collaboratively to see which approaches fit a person’s goals and preferences. That may mean combining acceptance work with practical CBT experiments, or using client-centered conversations to orient toward existential questions about meaning and priorities.
The original biography did not list specific session formats, so confirm current online options before booking. Many people find online sessions easier to fit into busy days, reduce travel time, and allow follow-ups during life changes. Shorter check-ins can work when schedules are tight, and non-video options may be preferable when bandwidth or camera time is a concern. Ask about formats and scheduling when you complete the initial questionnaire.
Areas of focus
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
17+ years
Listed in
Tennessee
Languages
English
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does he help with?
He works with relationship strain, addiction, mood and anxiety disorders, grief, intimacy issues, and family-related problems among adults.
What is his therapeutic style like?
Sessions are practical and conversational, using acceptance, cognitive, and client-focused techniques to identify patterns and try small changes.
How much clinical experience does he have?
He has 17 years of experience as a clinician working in Tennessee settings.
What are his credentials and where is he based?
He is an LCSW - Licensed Clinical Social Worker licensed in Tennessee and practices from Tennessee.
Does he work in languages other than English or with international clients?
Sessions are offered in English and he is not accepting international clients at this time.
Which session formats are offered?
The original biography did not specify session formats; please confirm current session options before booking.
How are fees handled?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with him?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. A license can be checked with the state board.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If anyone is in danger, use the crisis numbers.