About Michael
Michael Lemley offers a collaborative, down-to-earth approach to therapy. He aims to create a space where a person’s true self can be spoken for and understood. Michael uses straightforward conversation to help people notice what matters to them and move toward clearer choices.
He focuses on everyday struggles such as stress, anxiety, low self-esteem, and depression. He also helps people cope with life changes and work through relationship frustrations. Communication problems, forgiveness, and cultivating self-love are regular topics in sessions.
Background and approach
Across ten years of practice Michael draws on practical tools to help people calm anxious thinking and rebuild confidence. He helps clients identify strengths and values and then link those to small, doable steps. Sessions aim to be honest and understandable, not filled with jargon.
Michael is a licensed clinical social worker - LCSW - practicing in California. He offers talk-based care and coaching-style guidance when useful. The emphasis is on finding what fits each person rather than enforcing a single method.
People who reach out should expect plain language, direct feedback, and a focus on real life changes. Michael works to make sessions feel collaborative so clients can try new approaches and see what helps most.
Approaches that guide online sessions
Michael uses evidence-based techniques focused on practical change and relationship awareness. One common approach helps people identify patterns of anxious thinking and practice coping skills to reduce daily stress. This method teaches short, practical exercises that can be used between sessions to manage worry and calm the body.Another approach centers on values and behavior change. This helps people notice what matters most, set small goals, and test new ways of acting that match their values. It is useful for improving self-esteem, making life changes, and repairing communication habits.
Choosing the right approach is a joint process. The therapist will talk through options with each person and adjust methods based on goals, preferences, and what proves most helpful. This keeps work focused and flexible rather than fixed to one technique.
Online therapy is offered by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. Video sessions allow face-to-face conversation for deeper emotional work. Phone sessions work well when bandwidth is low or a camera isn’t convenient. Live chat and text messaging are useful for brief check-ins, quick problem-solving, or ongoing encouragement between longer sessions. These options make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life and keep momentum between meetings.
Frequently asked questions
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Specialties and expertise
Top specialties
- Stress, Anxiety
- Relationship issues
- Self esteem
- Experience
- 10 years
- Licensed
- California
- Languages
- English