- parenting support
- relationship help
- addiction focus
About Michael
Michael Michnya is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with a long career helping people and families find more cooperation and ease in daily life. He focuses on practical change that helps parents, couples, and individuals enjoy better relationships and clearer direction. Michael writes plainly and asks clients to be willing to try new things between sessions to get results.
He began working with children in 1980 and moved into counseling after volunteering with child abuse prevention. His early work included counseling teens in long-term rehab for substance abuse and coordinating family-adolescent alcohol programs after earning a master's degree in counseling psychology. Later roles included program management, training, and supervising in-home counselors who supported families at risk of out-of-home placement.
Over nearly four decades he has provided individual, group, and family counseling in a variety of settings, including short-term rehab programs and a federally qualified health center. That experience shaped his focus on family interaction, parenting, addiction recovery, and communication problems. He also helps people facing grief, trauma, anxiety, depression, and life transitions.
In sessions he emphasizes creativity, honesty, and steady effort. He asks clients to attend on time, try homework, and describe honestly what does and does not work. His practical aim is to help people build on their strengths and find solutions that fit their lives.
He practices in New Jersey and works in English. Michael values hope and persistence and looks to help clients move toward more connected, purposeful lives.
How therapeutic approaches shape online work
Client-Centered Therapy centers the client's needs and perspective. It means the therapist listens closely, reflects what is said, and helps clients find their own solutions. This approach is useful for people needing support with parenting, relationships, or life direction.Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at the link between thoughts, feelings, and behavior. It uses practical strategies and doable exercises to change patterns that fuel anxiety, depression, sleep problems, and unhelpful reactions. Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) focuses on emotional patterns in close relationships and helps partners or individuals rewrite how they respond to each other.
Finding the right approach is part of the work. Michael will collaborate with clients to pick methods that match their goals, needs, and preferences. That may mean mixing client-centered listening with CBT exercises or using EFT-informed techniques for relationship concerns.
Confirm current session options before booking, as the biography does not list specific online formats. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into busy days, reduce travel time, and allow shorter check-ins when schedules require. Some formats also allow sessions without video or with lower bandwidth when that helps keep conversations manageable. Talk with the therapist during scheduling to learn which session options are available and practical for your routine.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
39+ years
Listed in
New Jersey
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does Michael commonly address?
He works with stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship and family problems, parenting challenges, trauma and grief, depression, ADHD, and related concerns such as communication and blended family issues.
What is his approach in therapy?
Sessions focus on practical, collaborative work that builds on strengths. He uses client-centered methods alongside cognitive behavioral tools, emotionally-focused ideas, Gottman principles, mindfulness, and motivational interviewing to guide change.
How much experience does he have?
He has been working with people since 1980 and brings 39 years of clinical experience across schools, rehabs, community agencies, and program management roles.
What are his credentials and where does he practice?
He is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) practicing in New Jersey.
Which languages are supported for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can international clients work with him?
He does not accept international clients at this time.
How does cost and billing work?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
What should I do to begin working with him?
Click the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.