- CBT methods
- Mindfulness practice
- Motivational interviewing
About Michael
Michael Mcbrearty is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 20 years of experience. He holds LCSW licenses in New Jersey and New York and works with adults facing stress, anxiety, relationship strain, grief, anger, depression, addictions, and related concerns.
He combines cognitive-behavioral techniques with motivational interviewing and mindfulness practices in sessions. Conversations are direct and practical. He helps people notice patterns in thoughts and behaviors and then try small, manageable changes.
McBrearty also addresses issues like attachment concerns, abandonment, caregiver stress, codependency, and communication problems. He supports people coping with life transitions, career stress, and burnout related to caregiving or compassion fatigue. Substance use and eating-related worries are included in his focus areas.
Sessions tend to focus on clear goals and steps clients can practice between meetings. He uses tools from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to help people clarify values and act on them, alongside CBT skills to challenge unhelpful thinking. Motivational interviewing helps when change feels difficult.
His background includes a Master of Social Work from Rutgers University and credentialing as an alcohol and substance abuse counselor in New York. He works in New Jersey and conducts sessions in English. To begin, clients complete a short matching questionnaire and schedule a first session.
How ACT, CBT and Motivational Interviewing can work online
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT, focuses on clarifying what matters to a person and taking small steps toward those values. Online sessions can use ACT exercises to identify values and set doable, value-based goals that fit day-to-day life.Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, targets unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns. In virtual meetings the therapist and client can review thought records, practice behavioral experiments, and plan concrete exercises to try between sessions to reduce reactivity and build new habits.
Motivational interviewing helps when making changes feels hard or uncertain. Brief, practical conversations online can strengthen a person’s own reasons for change and break big goals into achievable steps.
Finding the best approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will work with the client to choose methods that match their needs, goals, and preferences, and adjust the plan as progress is made.
Session formats are not specified in the biography, so confirm current options before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy week, shorten check-ins when time is tight, or avoid travel time. Discuss your schedule and preferences when you set up the first appointment to find what works.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
20+ years
Listed in
New Jersey, New York
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does he address related to anger?
He works with anger alongside related issues such as stress, relationship strain, grief, and substance use. Anger is framed as one of several practical problems to understand and manage.
What is his therapy style like?
Sessions are described as open and direct, combining cognitive-behavioral techniques, motivational interviewing, and mindfulness. The focus is on noticing patterns and trying practical steps.
How much clinical experience does he have?
He has 20 years of experience in social work and clinical practice. That background includes work with substance use and a range of behavioral concerns.
What credentials and region does he practice in?
He is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with NY LCSW and NJ LCSW credentials and practices in New Jersey.
Which languages are sessions offered in?
Sessions are offered in English. International clients are not currently accepted.
What session formats are used?
Confirm current session options before booking, as the biography does not list specific formats. Ask about remote or in-person possibilities when scheduling.
How does payment and cost work?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time. Check the sign-up flow for exact rates for your area.
How do I start working with him?
Click the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session to begin.