Michael Tidstrand
Compassionate, practical support for life’s challenges
LPCC California
- Experience
- 10 years in practice
- Focus areas
- Stress, Anxiety, Grief, Depression
- Approaches
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Languages
- English
About Michael
Michael Tidstrand offers support for people dealing with stress, anxiety, grief, depression, compassion fatigue, bipolar disorder, ADHD, self-esteem concerns, family-related issues, and major life transitions. He brings ten years of clinical experience and frames care around empathy and acceptance so clients can explore difficult feelings without judgment.
Background and approach
Michael emphasizes active listening and reflective dialogue to help clients gain clarity and perspective on their current struggles. As an LPCC who holds a Master’s in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University, he combines evidence-informed methods with practical mindfulness practices to address the links between thoughts, emotions, and behavior.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and other approaches are woven into sessions to build coping skills and reduce unhelpful patterns. Clients can expect a collaborative relationship focused on understanding root causes, developing useful strategies, and fostering personal growth toward a more balanced life.
How evidence-based approaches translate to online therapy
Michael frequently draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help clients identify and change unhelpful thinking patterns and behaviors; CBT is practical and skill-focused, often useful for anxiety, depression, and stress management. He also integrates Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), which emphasizes values-driven choices and experiential exercises to increase psychological flexibility and acceptance of difficult emotions. These approaches are described in accessible terms and tailored to each person's circumstances.Figuring out which method fits best is part of the work together. The therapist treats selection of approach as collaborative, discussing goals, preferences, and responses to early sessions to determine whether CBT, ACT, or elements from attachment-based or client-centered work will best support the client’s aims.
Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, which provide flexibility for scheduling and ongoing skill practice between sessions. These options can make it easier to maintain continuity of care, fit therapy into a busy life, and use different communication styles as needs evolve.
Frequently asked questions
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Areas of expertise
Also works with
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
10+ years
Licensed
California
Languages
English