My name is Michael Peterson, and I have been working in the field of Social Work for about 10 years. I I am licensed in Illinois and have done counseling for about three years. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with addictions, trauma and abuse, & coping with grief and loss. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. I have held a variety of different types of social work jobs (case worker, crisis clinician, therapist, and more), in a variety of different environments, which I feel gives me a deep, multifaceted approach to counseling. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.
Additional areas of focus: LGBT, Relationship issues, Family conflicts, Parenting issues, Anger management, Self esteem, Career difficulties, Bipolar disorder, Coping with life changes, Compassion fatigue, ADHD, Aging and geriatric issues, Autism and Asperger Syndrome, Avoidant personality, Caregiver issues and stress, Codependency, Commitment issues, Communication problems, Control issues, Dissociation, Divorce and separation, Drug and alcohol addiction, Emptiness, Family of origin issues, Family problems, Fatherhood issues, Forgiveness, Guilt and shame, Hospice and end-of-life counseling, Immigration issues, Isolation / loneliness, Jealousy, Life purpose, Men's issues, Midlife crisis, Money and financial issues, Mood disorders, Multicultural concerns, Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD, Panic disorder and panic attacks, Post-traumatic stress, Process addiction (porn, exercise, gambling), Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), Self-harm, Self-love, Social anxiety and phobia, Young adult issues
Clinical approaches: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Solution-Focused Therapy
IL LCSW 149019164
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Michael Peterson. We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with BetterHelp might be different.
Michael is an excellent therapist — empathetic, insightful, and highly practical. He listens carefully and consistently offers perspectives and ideas I would never have considered on my own. His approach is thoughtful and actionable, making each session genuinely helpful. Highly recommended.
Written on Sep 29, 2025 after therapy with Michael for 1 month on issues concerning stress, anxiety, addictions, and relationship issues
Michael Peterson is great, he assesses where you are, where you want to be, and asks if you want more "kind" support or more tough love to help develop a treatment plan for you., if you want homework, etc. so he can best accommodate your preferences.
Written on Sep 25, 2025 after therapy with Michael for 1 month on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, self esteem, and adhd
He’s the man
Written on Jul 25, 2025 after therapy with Michael for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression
He’s very insightful listens to me when I want to be listened to and offers very insightful responses I never considered
Written on May 03, 2025 after therapy with Michael for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, and stress, anxiety
Michael is always responsive and I appreciate his input that helps me reason my way through my concerns.
Written on Dec 12, 2024 after therapy with Michael for 1 year and 4 months on issues concerning relationship issues, and career difficulties
Michael is always there for me and is able to provide perspective and advice no matter what situation I'm in. He's extremely attentive, listens and also just a great person to chat to. Would recommend him to anyone
Written on Dec 07, 2024 after therapy with Michael for 4 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, and self esteem