- ACT and CBT methods
- DBT skills practice
- Grief and caregiver issues
About Michael
Michael Knapik is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Virginia and a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC) in Vermont with 18 years of clinical experience. He works with people facing stress, anxiety, addiction, grief, anger, depression, and other mood and coping challenges. He emphasizes clients' strengths and practical ways to manage overwhelming feelings.
He takes an eclectic approach and blends evidence-based tools. Sessions often focus on skills from cognitive behavioral methods and strategies drawn from acceptance and commitment ideas. Dialectical behavior techniques and client-centered listening are woven into sessions when they fit the person's goals.
Michael’s background includes many years in mental health after a long career in journalism. That experience shaped his plain-speaking, problem-focused style. He has also volunteered in hospice work, which informs how he talks about grief, end-of-life concerns, and caregiver stress.
In session he helps people notice patterns, try concrete coping steps, and practice new responses to anger and strong emotions. He encourages short experiments and small changes that can reduce impulsivity and repeated conflict. Practical skills for sleeping, managing cravings, and lowering panic are common session topics.
He works with a wide range of concerns related to relationships, communication, isolation, life purpose, and addictions. People who want direct, skills-oriented conversations about anger, impulsivity, or ongoing stress may find his straightforward approach helpful.
How his approaches translate to online work
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on helping people notice thoughts and feelings without getting stuck in them, and then move toward actions that reflect their values. It can help with anger that keeps repeating or with life changes that feel overwhelming. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) breaks problems into thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and teaches practical skills to change unhelpful patterns; it is often used for anxiety, panic, sleep problems, and depressive symptoms. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) supplies concrete skills for distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness, which can reduce impulsivity and heated responses.Choosing the right approach is part of the work. Michael will talk with each person about goals and try methods that fit those goals. The plan is collaborative - he helps people test techniques and decide what actually helps in daily life.
Session formats are not listed in the profile, so confirm the current options before booking. In general, online sessions can make it easier to fit appointments into a busy week, allow brief check-ins when needed, and let people use exercises between meetings. Therapists often adapt ACT, CBT, and DBT exercises to brief online work so people can practice skills in real situations without long gaps between sessions.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
18+ years
Listed in
Virginia, Vermont
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does he help with?
He works with stress, anxiety, addictions, grief, anger, depression, bipolar and related mood concerns, plus issues like sleep, self-esteem, and impulsivity.
What is his style in session?
He uses an eclectic, practical style that emphasizes clients' strengths and concrete skills from therapies such as CBT, ACT, and DBT.
How much experience does he have?
He has worked in the mental health field since 2007, giving him 18 years of clinical experience.
What are his credentials and where is he based?
He is an LPC in Virginia and an LCMHC in Vermont, and he practices from Vermont for client work noted in his profile.
Does he offer sessions in other languages or to clients abroad?
Sessions are offered in English. He is not accepting international clients at this time.
What session formats are available?
Please confirm current session options before booking, as the profile does not list specific formats.
How does payment and cost work?
Cost varies with location; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with him?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.