About Michael
Michael Purcell is a licensed clinical social worker who helps people facing relationship strain, family conflict, trauma, and grief. He speaks plainly and aims to make sessions feel straightforward and manageable for a stressed parent reading on a phone. Michael welcomes people who want clearer communication, relief from guilt or shame, or help rebuilding self-love after painful events.
He uses practical, evidence-based approaches to help clients notice patterns and try new ways of coping.
Background and approach
Sessions often focus on small, doable steps like practicing different ways to speak up, setting healthier boundaries, or reducing the hold of painful memories. Michael explains things in everyday language so clients can put ideas to use between sessions. Michael brings three years of direct clinical experience as a licensed clinical social worker - LCSW - working in Pennsylvania.
His background includes supporting people through major losses and helping with social anxiety and phobia. He also focuses on forgiveness work, control issues, and improving communication skills. Work with him tends to be collaborative and goal-oriented.
He helps people clarify what matters most, then shapes sessions around those priorities. Progress is measured by practical changes clients notice in daily life, such as calmer conversations or sleeping better after grief work. People who prefer a direct, compassionate style often find his approach helpful.
Michael aims to create a space where clients can name what hurts, try different tools, and build more satisfying connections with others.
Evidence-based approaches for online work
Michael uses evidence-based therapeutic techniques that focus on practical change. One approach helps people identify unhelpful thinking and try different responses to emotional triggers; this teaches skills for handling anger, shame, or social anxiety. Another approach centers on processing difficult memories in a paced way so painful events have less daily impact and grief feels more manageable. These methods aim to reduce distress and improve daily functioning by training simple skills and new habits.Finding the right approach is part of the work. Michael will collaborate with each person to figure out which techniques match their goals and comfort level, and he adjusts the plan as progress unfolds. Clients play an active role in choosing what to try and deciding when to move on to other strategies.
Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, which allow flexible scheduling and easier check-ins between appointments. Video sessions work well for face-to-face conversation, phone is helpful when bandwidth is limited, live chat suits short check-ins, and messaging is useful for ongoing support or brief updates during the week. These options make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life and keep momentum between sessions.
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does Michael address?
How would you describe his therapy style?
What is his clinical background?
Which credentials and location apply to his practice?
In what languages are sessions offered?
What session formats are available?
How is cost handled for sessions?
How do I begin working with him?
Specialties and expertise
Top specialties
- Relationship issues
- Family conflicts
- Trauma and abuse
Also works with
- Experience
- 3 years
- Licensed
- Pennsylvania
- Languages
- English