At a glance
- Credentials
- PACFA
- Registration
- PACFA, Australia / 25995
- Experience
- 4 years
- Languages
- English
- Location
- Australia
Details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp.
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- Motivational interviewing
- Practical goal work
- Person-centred care
About Michael
Michael Anderson is a counsellor practising in Australia who focuses on helping people facing addictions, grief, low self-esteem, depression and major life changes. He speaks plainly and aims to make the first steps feel manageable. He has four years of experience working in psycho-social recovery and earlier roles supporting people with long-term psychiatric disabilities.
Michael uses Motivational Interviewing to help people weigh options and build their own motivation for change. He also draws on Client-Centred Therapy to create an accepting space where a person can talk openly. Solution-Focused Therapy guides practical, short-term goals that can shift day-to-day life.
In sessions he talks through readiness for change and works with each person to set meaningful, realistic outcomes. Conversations are practical and goal-oriented when helpful, and reflective when people need to make sense of difficult feelings. The emphasis is on small, achievable steps rather than big promises.
Michael holds PACFA as his listed credential and brings direct experience from community and recovery settings. He often helps people who are dealing with chronic pain or illness, communication problems, separation and divorce, feelings of emptiness, and difficult patterns such as impulsivity or compulsions.
People who contact him typically want clear next steps, support through loss, help with substance issues, or guidance in coping with life transitions. He encourages prospective clients to think about what matters most to them before booking a session.
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How his approaches work online
Michael uses Motivational Interviewing to help people clarify their reasons for change and to build motivation at a comfortable pace. This approach suits people who feel stuck or uncertain about next steps. Client-Centred Therapy is about offering an accepting space where the person leads the conversation and their perspectives are heard and reflected back. Solution-Focused Therapy looks for small, practical changes that can be tried quickly and adjusted as needed.
Finding the right combination of methods is part of the work. He works collaboratively to choose approaches that match a person's goals and preferences. Together they check what feels useful and shift direction if something isn’t working.
The biography does not list specific session formats, so confirm the available options before booking. Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy life, reduce travel time and allow shorter check-ins when that suits a person’s schedule. It can also let people try focused goal work or motivational conversations without rearranging their day, making gradual change more manageable. -
Areas of expertise
Additional focus areas
Chronic pain, illness, and disabilityCommunication problemsDependent personalityDissociationDivorce and separationDrug and alcohol addictionEmptinessFamily problemsForgivenessGuilt and shameImpulsivityIsolation / lonelinessLife purposeMood disordersObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPanic disorder and panic attacksParanoiaPersonality disordersPost-traumatic stressSelf-harmSelf-loveSocial anxiety and phobiaTherapeutic approaches
Client-Centered TherapyMotivational InterviewingSolution-Focused TherapyExperience
4+ years
Listed in
Australia
Languages
English
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Frequently asked questions
What concerns does Michael commonly help with?
He supports people dealing with addictions, grief, low self-esteem, depression and coping with major life changes. His work also covers chronic pain and illness, communication problems, and compulsive behaviours.
What is his therapeutic style like?
His style is straightforward and collaborative. Conversations focus on what matters to the person and on small, practical steps toward change.
How much experience does he have?
He has four years of experience working as a psycho-social recovery counsellor and earlier experience as a mental health support worker.
What credentials and location does he list?
He lists PACFA as his credential and practises in Australia.
Which languages are supported and can international clients join?
Sessions are offered in English. International clients are not currently accepted.
What session formats are available?
The biography does not specify session formats. Confirm current session options before booking to make sure they suit your needs.
How are fees handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability, and sessions use a subscription that can be cancelled at any time.
How do I start working with him?
Select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.
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Online talk therapy is not emergency or medical care. Stopping or cutting down alcohol or other drugs can be unsafe without medical advice. In immediate danger? Crisis numbers