Michael Thummel

If you've been carrying something you weren't sure a therapist could handle without judgment — substance use, sexual compulsivity, the aftermath of infidelity, or rebuilding your life after time away — I'm the right fit. I've spent 25 years working with adults who live outside the mainstream: men navigating identity and shame, people in the LGBTQ+ community, folks in ENM or kink relationships, and individuals re-entering society after incarceration. My style is direct and affirming. I won't give you a checklist of coping skills without understanding who you actually are first.

I work collaboratively and practically. That means we're not going in circles — we're building something real together. I use CBT, Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy, Emotion-Focused Therapy, and motivational interviewing depending on what fits you best. For couples, I'm trained in the Gottman Method. My approach isn't one-size-fits-all: if you've tried therapy before and felt like the therapist didn't get your life, I probably will. I especially connect with people who are done with surface-level conversations and want to actually change the patterns that have been holding them back.

Therapy with me begins by listening—what troubles you and what you want from treatment. Together we identify the thoughts, behaviors, and emotions that keep you stuck and explore practical, realistic ways to change them. In the first few sessions you’ll have a chance to get to know me, share the background that brought you to therapy, and clarify goals for our work.