About Michael
Michael Shugrue is a licensed clinical social worker with 25 years of experience supporting people through hard times. He practices in New Jersey and helps people who are dealing with anxiety, depression, stress, relationship strain, family conflict, and self-esteem struggles. He aims to create a calm, direct space where people can talk through what matters most to them.
Over the years Michael has kept therapy straightforward and practical. He listens for strengths and patterns, then works with each person to set small, realistic goals.
Background and approach
Sessions focus on what the person wants to change and on skills they can use between meetings. He avoids jargon and explains ideas in plain language. Michael uses evidence-based therapeutic techniques and adapts them to each person’s situation.
He helps people make sense of difficult feelings, try new ways of coping, and practice healthier habits in daily life. This often means breaking problems into manageable steps and tracking progress week to week. People who choose him tend to want clear guidance and practical tools as well as a steady, respectful listener.
He aims for a collaborative relationship where the person’s goals guide the work. Over time the focus is on building resilience and more satisfying ways to handle relationships and stress. Sessions are offered in English and are available through online formats including video calls, phone, live chat, and text-based messaging.
Michael works within a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
Evidence-Based Approaches Delivered Online
Michael draws on a few evidence-based techniques to guide sessions. One common approach focuses on identifying unhelpful thinking and testing those thoughts with practical experiments; this helps reduce anxiety and depressive patterns by changing how daily thinking unfolds. Another approach centers on building concrete coping skills and routines - such as managing stress with simple behavioral changes and step-by-step problem solving - which supports steadier mood and better day-to-day functioning.Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. Michael works with each person to understand their goals, preferences, and challenges, then suggests methods to try. He checks in regularly and adjusts the plan based on what is working and what needs change.
Online therapy here uses video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to provide flexible care. Video is useful for deeper conversations and visual cues, phone calls can fit into a short break or require less bandwidth, and chat or text messaging can be handy for quick check-ins or when typed reflection feels easier. These options make it simpler to maintain momentum between sessions and to fit therapy into a busy life.
Frequently asked questions
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Specialties and expertise
Top specialties
- Stress, Anxiety
- Relationship issues
- Family conflicts
Also works with
- Experience
- 25 years
- Licensed
- New Jersey
- Languages
- English