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MP Portrait of Michael Penkaty

Michael Penkaty

Compassionate counselor for relationship and life change

LPC Colorado

Experience
10 years in practice
Focus areas
Relationship, Family, Trauma and abuse
Approaches
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Languages
English
Continue with Michael

About Michael

Michael Penkaty is a licensed professional counselor based in Colorado who focuses on relationship and family concerns, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, parenting, anger, self-esteem, depression, and coping with life changes. He also attends to multicultural concerns, obsessive-compulsive patterns, and personality disorder-related challenges.

Background and approach

With ten years of clinical experience, Michael centers work around clients' strengths and lived experience, helping people access their own resources while addressing difficult emotions and interpersonal patterns. Michael practices from a collaborative stance that values the client's expertise in their own life.

He draws on evidence-informed methods such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy along with acceptance- and emotion-focused approaches to help clients clarify values, build practical skills, and shift unhelpful patterns. He encourages new clients that seeking support is a meaningful step and works to create a supportive space where realistic goals and strategies are developed together.

Approaches for Online Work and Practical Support

Michael integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy into online sessions. CBT focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns, offering concrete skills for managing depression, anxiety, and relationship distress. ACT emphasizes accepting difficult feelings while clarifying personal values and taking committed action, which can help with coping, motivation, and life changes.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and Michael aims to collaborate with each person to determine what fits best. He will invite clients to explore techniques, track what helps, and adapt interventions based on goals and preferences so the work remains practical and tailored.

Online therapy with him is offered through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to provide flexibility for varying schedules and comfort levels. These options make it easier to maintain consistent care, practice skills between sessions, and integrate therapeutic strategies into everyday life.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does Michael commonly address in therapy?
He works with relationship and family difficulties, trauma and abuse, intimacy issues, parenting challenges, anger, self-esteem, depression, and coping with life changes, along with multicultural concerns and obsessive-compulsive patterns.
How would you describe his therapeutic style?
His style is collaborative and strengths-focused, emphasizing the client's expertise in their own life while helping to develop practical skills and emotional insight.
What professional background does he bring to sessions?
He brings ten years of clinical experience working with a range of interpersonal and emotional challenges and emphasizes evidence-informed practice tailored to each person.
What are his credentials and where is he based?
He holds an LPC credential listed as CO LPC LPC.0014972 and practices in Colorado.
Can people who speak other languages work with him?
Sessions are provided in English and he is not accepting international clients at this time.
Which session formats does he offer for therapy?
He offers several online formats including video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to accommodate different needs.
How are sessions paid for and what does it cost?
Cost varies by location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What are the steps to begin working with him?
To get started, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to his availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Relationship issuesFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseIntimacy-related issuesParenting issues

Also works with

Anger managementSelf esteemDepressionCoping with life changes

Additional focus areas

Multicultural concernsObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPersonality disorders

Therapeutic approaches

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)Mindfulness TherapyMotivational Interviewing

Experience

10+ years

Licensed

Colorado

Languages

English