Michael Booth, LMFT

Michael Booth is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT) based in California with 25 years of experience. He works with adults who are struggling with depression, anxiety, addiction, anger, or feelings of emptiness. He focuses on practical steps clients can use to feel better and move forward.

He prefers a collaborative approach. He takes time to learn what matters to each person and sets clear goals together. Sessions focus on skills you can try between meetings and ways to measure progress over time.

Michael often uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, which helps people spot and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors. He also draws on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to help people accept difficult feelings and commit to actions that match their values. Client-centered work guides conversations so people feel heard while they explore solutions.

He has worked with concerns that include stress, trauma and abuse, relationship and intimacy issues, parenting strains, career transitions, bipolar disorder, ADHD, grief, and a wide range of process and substance addictions. He also addresses attachment problems, family of origin issues, guilt and shame, and feelings of isolation.

In sessions Michael aims to be straightforward and practical. He helps people create steps that fit daily life. The focus is on reducing distress and increasing activities that bring meaning and purpose.

If someone is ready to begin, he asks that they describe their top concerns so initial work can target what matters most and start measurable change.

Therapeutic approaches for online care

Michael commonly uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people identify unhelpful thoughts and change behaviors that keep problems going. CBT is often used for anxiety, depression, panic, and many addiction-related patterns. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy is another approach he uses; ACT emphasizes noticing difficult feelings, clarifying personal values, and taking committed action that moves life in a chosen direction. Client-centered work guides the conversation so people feel heard and can shape the pace and focus of therapy.

Choosing the right approach is part of the work. Michael treats it as a collaborative process where goals, preferences, and life demands guide which methods are used. Together the therapist and client try options, check what helps, and adjust as needed so sessions stay relevant to real life.

Online therapy offers flexible ways to meet. Video calls let people work face-to-face from a distance. Phone sessions can be a lower-bandwidth option or useful when screen time is limited. Live chat or text messaging supports shorter check-ins, between-session coaching, or ongoing reflections. These options make it easier to fit therapy into busy schedules and to keep working when life changes.