Michael Bensman

You've reached a point where something needs to change — maybe anxiety that won't switch off, a low mood that's dimmed things you used to enjoy, anger that surfaces faster than you'd like, or the weight of trauma, grief, or a substance-use struggle you've carried alone. I'm glad you're here.

I'm Michael, and I work with adults navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, panic, OCD, family and relationship conflict, addiction and recovery, and the stress of difficult life transitions. I have practiced psychotherapy for more than 30 years. I earned my Master of Social Work in Clinical Interpersonal Practice from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and my Bachelor of Science in Addiction Studies and Psychology from the University of Detroit Mercy — a foundation I've continued to build on across three decades of clinical work. I'm direct, practical, and easy to understand. My job is to help you make sense of what you're facing and give you strategies you can actually use in your daily life.

My work is grounded in evidence-based psychotherapy, delivered in plain, understandable language so the strategies we build are ones you can use between sessions. We start by understanding what brought you in and what you want to be different, then choose the approach that fits. I primarily draw on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to shift the thought patterns driving anxiety and depression, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help you act on what matters even when emotions run high, and Schema Therapy to address long-standing patterns rooted in earlier experiences. I integrate Solution-Focused Brief Therapy to build practical momentum, Motivational Interviewing for ambivalence around addiction and change, Behavioral approaches for concrete skill-building, and an Existential lens when you're wrestling with meaning, purpose, or transition. My style is collaborative and structured: we set clear goals, track progress together, and adjust as you grow. I believe people improve when insight is paired with real coping skills they can put to work.

In our first session, I'll walk you through how therapy works, the limits of confidentiality, and — most importantly — I'll listen closely to why you're here and what you want to achieve. From there, we'll set goals and build a plan together. Over time, my clients tend to feel less controlled by anxiety and low mood, more able to manage anger and stress, and more grounded in their relationships and daily choices. You can expect to leave sessions with practical strategies, a clearer understanding of what you're facing, and steady, measurable progress toward functioning and coping better. Wherever you're starting from, my goal is for you to feel more capable, more in control, and more hopeful about where your life is headed. When you're ready, I'd be glad to take the next step with you.