Therapist profile
Michael Minnella, LCPC
Illinois
LCPC - Stress and relationship challenges
Continue with MichaelWhere Michael stands
- Credentials
- LCPC
- License
- LCPC, Illinois / 180.005220
- NPI
- 1720216864
- Experience
- 26 years
- Languages
- English
- Location
- Illinois
About
- Mindfulness practice
- CBT skill building
- Assertiveness training
About Michael
Michael Minnella is an Illinois Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) with 26 years of practice. He focuses on stress, anxiety, addictions, mood concerns, relationship and family issues, and related challenges such as grief, sleep problems, and codependency.
He uses a calm, steady manner when meeting people. He listens and talks through what is happening now. He offers mindfulness exercises for anxiety and depression and practical skill building for thinking patterns that get in the way.
Sessions include learning specific cognitive-behavioral skills to change unhelpful thoughts and reactions. He also teaches assertiveness and communication skills so people can set clearer boundaries and ask for what they need. These are concrete tools you can practice between sessions.
Michael draws on approaches such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, attachment-focused work, client-centered methods, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy. When trauma or intense emotional reactions are involved, his work aims to help people notice reactions and choose different responses.
People often come for help with parenting stress, caregiver burnout, or living around someone else’s substance use and mood swings. Michael can also support those coping with chronic illness, adoption and foster care questions, or life transitions. He offers straightforward coaching on coping skills and communication strategies.
To start, he asks about the problem you want to change and the small steps that feel doable. From there he helps set practical goals and practiceable skills so daily life feels more manageable.
How sessions work
How Michael’s approaches translate to online sessions
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people notice difficult thoughts and feelings without fighting them and then choose actions that match their values. It is useful for anxiety, low mood, and stress that gets in the way of daily life. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns, with concrete exercises you can practice between sessions to reduce symptoms and build new habits. Attachment-Based Therapy looks at patterns from early relationships and how they show up now, helping people understand their reactions and try different ways of connecting. Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist and client will look at what feels most relevant and practical given the person’s goals and preferences. That collaboration guides which methods are emphasized in sessions. Session formats are not specified in the original profile, so confirm current online options before booking. Online sessions can make it easier to fit counseling into a day, reduce travel time, and allow for shorter check-ins when needed. They also let people practice skills in their usual environments and bring real-life situations into the conversation for problem-solving.Areas of focus
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
26+ years
Listed in
Illinois
Languages
English
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does he help with?
He works with stress, anxiety, addictions, depression, relationship and family concerns, grief, sleep and eating issues, codependency, ADHD, and related challenges.
What is his therapeutic style like?
He uses a calm, patient approach and focuses on practical skills such as mindfulness, cognitive-behavioral techniques, and assertiveness training.
How much experience does he have?
He has 26 years of clinical experience working with a wide range of concerns and life transitions.
What are his credentials and where does he practice?
He is an Illinois LCPC and practices in Illinois.
Does he work in languages other than English?
Sessions are offered in English.
Does he see international clients?
He does not accept international clients at this time.
How are sessions scheduled and what do they cost?
Cost varies with location and 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.
Details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. A license can be checked with the state board.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are not safe at home, use the crisis and helpline numbers.