Michael Shaughnessy, LMHC

Michael Shaughnessy is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) based in Florida with 39 years of experience. He brings a direct, warm presence to sessions and often uses humor to ease tension. Michael describes himself as tenacious and persistent when someone is struggling and stays engaged until progress is made.

He has worked in inpatient settings for substance abuse, co-dependency, and eating disorders, and has decades in private practice both in group and solo settings. That background means he has seen a wide range of issues, including depression, anxiety, trauma, relationship difficulties, and grief.

Michael leans toward experiential, client-centered work and draws on existential ideas about how life experiences shape identity. In sessions he shares his own lived experience when it helps move conversations forward. He aims to help people find balance among the parts of themselves that feel stuck or out of sync.

Practical, down-to-earth conversations are his style. He helps people talk through stress, career strain, addictions, parenting strain, intimacy issues, and the everyday losses that accumulate over time. He also offers support for LGBT concerns and for people dealing with compassion fatigue.

If someone is unsure where to begin, Michael works collaboratively to clarify goals and next steps. He looks for small, usable changes that fit into a person’s life rather than grand, one-size-fits-all fixes.

How his approaches guide online work

Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening closely and following the client's lead. The therapist aims to reflect back what he hears, helping people name feelings and make their own choices about change. This approach suits people who need a respectful, nonjudgmental space to sort things out.

Existential Therapy looks at meaning, responsibility, and the life choices that shape identity. It helps when someone feels lost, stuck, or overwhelmed by life transitions and wants to explore values and purpose rather than quick fixes.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. He collaborates with clients to decide which ideas and activities fit best with their goals and personality. That might mean trying different ways of working and adjusting as progress is made.

Session formats are not listed in the biography, so confirm available online options before booking. Many people choosing online sessions appreciate the ability to fit conversations into busy days, keep appointments during travel, or choose a quieter time on a lunch break. Online work can make it easier to maintain continuity during life changes, and he will help clients shape sessions that match their schedules and needs.