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Hi! My name is Michael Southerland and I am a Licensed Marriage and Family therapist working in the Los Angeles, CA area. This means I focus primarily on relationships, be it individuals having difficulty with rough spots in life, couples, children, and families.
My approach
My overall approach is Rogerian therapy. This means I practice a Client-Centered approach to therapy with 3 important qualities: empathy, genuineness, and unconditional positive regard. You as the client direct the path of your therapy, not me. There will never be any judgment here. I also use other approaches within the Rogerian framework, such as CBT, solution-focused, and narrative therapy.
My focus
I am comfortable working with almost any problem. However, my specialties include depression, anxiety, substance abuse and addiction, codependency, ADHD, and especially LGBT + engender identity. Don't hesitate to reach out to me and ask me if I have experience in working with clients like you. I'm looking forward to hearing.
My communication style
I am very empathic. I'm a warm, friendly, non-judgmental therapist. I use a lot of humor in therapy because I believe it is very helpful. Like to think I'm a fun guy to be with. My tone is always accepting because I accept everybody for who they are. I have the attitude that everyone is beautiful for who they are I really want you to experience your genuine self in my office or virtual
My journey to mental healthcare
My journey to becoming a therapist is a long one I spent 11 years working in the child welfare system in South Florida I ended up in adoptions, helping children find their forever families. I moved to California on December 31st 1999. I came here for new opportunities and started working in community mental health, working my way up to becoming a licensed therapist. I worked for that agency for 18 years, after which I went into full-time private practice. It was hard decision to leave the agency that I had grown up in, meaning that I really found my place in the world once I started working for them. I started grad school in fall of 2007 at California State University Los Angeles and began working as an intern in 2009. I got my license in 2015. My goals than me too this will which I believe I will do for the rest of my life.
My goals for you
Goals are 100% set by you. I will help you put your goals into the SMART format. That is, specific, measurable, attainable, reasonable, and time-bound. I believe that goals are like points you stop on a map on a road trip as you journey through life.
My first session with you
You can expect to be listened to. The first session is where you tell me your story. I love stories. It is an honor to hear the many stories I have in the years I have been a therapist.
