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Michael  Jankowski

Therapist · Michigan

Michael Jankowski, LMSW, LCSW

Direct, accepting support for everyday challenges

Continue with Michael

Review online therapy options on BetterHelp.

  • Focus on practical steps
  • Emphasis on acceptance
  • Experience with illness

About Michael

Michael Jankowski is a clinical social worker with two decades of experience helping people face stress, anxiety, depression, and self-esteem concerns. He works with individuals who are navigating relationship challenges and LGBT-related issues, and he offers practical support for people dealing with illness and caregiver stress. He speaks plain, direct language and focuses on meeting people where they are in their lives.

Michael aims to walk alongside people rather than lecture them. Sessions are conversational and focused on the client's goals. He encourages openness so clients can examine what matters, find purpose, and rebuild confidence after hard experiences.

His background includes long experience with end-of-life concerns, cancer and HIV / AIDS issues, and the stresses that come with caregiving. He also supports people addressing attachment and abandonment wounds, communication problems, infidelity, and the emotional impact of separation and divorce.

Practically, Michael draws on approaches that keep conversations grounded. He uses client-centered techniques to follow the client’s lead, cognitive behavioral ideas to address unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, and mindfulness practices to reduce reactivity. Motivational interviewing and solution-focused steps are used to set clear, achievable next moves.

He is licensed as an LMSW and an LCSW in Michigan. Michael conducts sessions in English and has been in practice for 20 years. People who want a straightforward, accepting therapist who emphasizes progress and practical steps may find his style useful.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAttachment issuesBDSM, kink, and alternative sex cultureCancerCaregiver issues and stressCo-morbidityCommunication problemsDivorce and separationEmptinessFamily problemsForgivenessGuilt and shameHIV / AIDSHospice and end-of-life counselingInfidelityIsolation / lonelinessLife purposeMood disordersPolyamory / non-monogamous relationshipsSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-loveSexuality

Therapeutic approaches

Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Mindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingSolution-Focused Therapy

Experience

20+ years

Credentials

Michigan, Florida, Washington, Oregon

Languages

English

How therapeutic approaches translate to online care

Client-centered therapy focuses on listening and following the client's priorities. Online sessions can preserve that open, accepting tone while letting the client set the pace and topics. Cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, looks at thoughts and behaviors and guides people to test and change patterns. This approach can work well in online conversations where homework and short interventions are shared between sessions.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will collaborate with each person to choose methods that match their goals, needs, and preferences. That might mean using mindfulness practices for stress, CBT skills for anxiety, or solution-focused steps to set a clear next move. The plan is adjusted as progress is made.

Session formats are not detailed in the original biography, so confirm current options before booking. Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy week, reduce travel time, and allow shorter check-ins when needed. It also makes it simpler to continue care when medical appointments or caregiving responsibilities make in-person visits difficult. The emphasis is on practical ways to keep therapy consistent and useful for everyday life.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns does he help with?

He works with stress, anxiety, depression, self-esteem, relationship issues, and LGBT-related concerns. He also addresses caregiver stress, cancer and HIV / AIDS related issues, and topics like infidelity and separation.

How would you describe his therapeutic style?

His style is present and conversational, following the client's lead while offering practical tools. Sessions mix listening with concrete steps to help people move forward.

What experience does he bring to therapy?

He has 20 years of clinical experience working with a wide range of emotional and life challenges, including end-of-life concerns and complex medical-related stress.

What are his credentials and where is he located?

He holds credentials as an LMSW and an LCSW and practices in Michigan.

Which languages are sessions offered in?

Sessions are offered in English.

Can international clients work with him?

International clients are not currently accepted.

How is cost handled for sessions?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.

What steps do I take to begin working together?

Click the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule according to the therapist's availability.

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