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MM Portrait of Prof. Michael McGaugh

Prof. Michael McGaugh

Practical, perspective-focused mental health counseling

LPC Missouri

Experience
22 years in practice
Focus areas
Stress, Anxiety, Family, Trauma and abuse
Approaches
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Client-Centered Therapy
Languages
English
Continue with Michael

About Michael

Prof. Michael McGaugh brings 22 years of experience in mental health to his practice in Missouri.

Background and approach

He has held roles from adult case manager to intake specialist, and over time he found the most rewarding work to be direct counseling. He helps people reframe problems, widen perspective, and develop practical skills that support healthier choices and improved well-being.

His academic background includes advanced degrees in psychology and mental health counseling, and he practices from a client-centered stance that values the person's experience. He uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) alongside solution-focused and mindfulness-informed techniques to help clients build coping strategies and become more intentional about decisions that affect their lives.

He aims to foster greater self-understanding and empowerment so clients can address stress, anxiety, relationship and intimacy issues, grief and loss, trauma, depression, addictions, ADHD, and a range of other concerns. McGaugh frames therapy as a collaborative process that combines practical tools with exploration of personal meaning.

He works to equip people with skills they can use beyond sessions, emphasizing mindful awareness, problem-solving, and steps toward sustainable change.

Approach-driven online therapy tailored to goals



Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying and shifting unhelpful thoughts and behaviors to reduce distress and build practical coping skills; it is often used for anxiety, depression, panic, and OCD-related concerns. Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes the person's own experience and strengths, creating a respectful, empathetic space where clients can explore values and make self-directed changes. Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) attends to emotional patterns in relationships and personal attachment experiences, helping people better understand and reorganize how they respond to strong feelings.

Finding the right approach is treated as a collaborative process. The therapist will work with clients to weigh goals, preferences, and presenting issues and then blend methods such as CBT, mindfulness practices, or emotionally-focused work to fit the situation rather than relying on a single technique.

Online therapy appointments are offered by video calls, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging to increase flexibility and access. These options allow sessions to fit into busy schedules, support shorter check-ins or longer conversations as needed, and make it easier to maintain continuity of care from different locations.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does this therapist commonly address?
He works with a broad range of issues including stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, grief, addictions, relationship and intimacy-related problems, ADHD, bipolar concerns, and many related areas such as codependency, panic disorder, and grief.
What is the therapist's general therapeutic style?
The approach is collaborative and client-centered, emphasizing practical strategies and exploration of personal meaning. He integrates CBT, mindfulness, and solution-focused ideas to help clients build coping skills and change unhelpful patterns.
How much clinical experience does the therapist have?
He has 22 years of experience in mental health roles including case management, intake work, and direct counseling with adults.
What credentials and location are on record for this therapist?
He is listed as LPC with license MO LPC 2012019367 and practices from Missouri.
Are services available in other languages or internationally?
Sessions are offered in English, and he does accept international clients.
What session formats are offered for online work?
Available formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to accommodate different communication preferences.
How are fees and payment handled for therapy?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions are provided through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What are the steps to begin working together?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, completing a brief matching questionnaire, and scheduling according to the therapist's availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseGriefDepression

Also works with

AddictionsLGBTRelationship issuesIntimacy-related issuesParenting issuesAnger managementSelf esteemCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderCoping with life changesCompassion fatigueADHD

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAging and geriatric issuesCodependencyDivorce and separationEmptinessForgivenessHospice and end-of-life counselingInfidelityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyMen's issuesMidlife crisisObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPanic disorder and panic attacksParanoiaPersonality disordersPost-traumatic stressSelf-loveSexuality

Therapeutic approaches

Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)Existential TherapyMindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingSolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused Therapy

Experience

22+ years

Licensed

Missouri

Languages

English