Therapist listings are provided by BetterHelp. We will earn a commission at no additional cost to you if you sign up through our links.

Michael Fentress

Michael Fentress

LMHC, LPC

Therapist focused on trauma and life change

Continue with Michael Review online therapy options and next steps on BetterHelp.
  • Ten years experience
  • LMHC and LPC
  • Affirming approach

About Michael

Michael Fentress is a licensed mental health counselor who has spent a decade helping people work through heavy emotional challenges. He holds LMHC and LPC credentials and practices in Florida. Michael aims to make the therapy room a steady place for people coping with depression, addiction, trauma, and relationship strain.

He meets each person where they are and listens for the values and goals that matter most. Sessions focus on building self-compassion, easing isolation, and finding practical steps toward better daily functioning. Michael uses clear, straightforward language and keeps the work focused and achievable.

His background includes many years supporting LGBTQ+ adults, young adults, and people managing social anxiety and life transitions. That experience shapes how he talks about boundaries, identity, and the stresses of change. He helps clients identify patterns that get in the way of connection and wellbeing.

Michael blends Trauma-Focused Therapy with approaches like Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to tailor the work. He also draws on attachment-informed and client-centered perspectives to support healing from past hurts. The result is a flexible plan that prioritizes what the client wants to change.

Therapy with him is collaborative. Michael helps people set clear short-term goals and practical steps to reach them. He frames the work as a process of learning new skills and trying them out between sessions.

How these approaches can guide online therapy

Michael commonly uses Trauma-Focused Therapy to help people process past painful events and reduce their ongoing impact. That approach focuses on understanding how trauma affects daily thoughts and feelings and building skills to lessen those effects.

He also draws on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, which helps people clarify their values and take small committed actions toward them even when strong emotions are present. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is used to identify and change unhelpful thought and behavior patterns that keep stress and depression going.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will work with the client to decide which methods fit their goals, needs, and preferences. Initial sessions explore what matters most and which techniques feel useful before settling into a plan.

The practical benefits of online therapy can include fitting sessions into a busy week and keeping momentum between appointments. Because the profile does not list specific session formats, confirm current options before booking. Licensed professionals often use online work to support consistent check-ins, skill practice, and guided exercises that can be carried into everyday life.

These summaries are based on the profile information listed on BetterHelp. Listing trauma-focused therapy does not mean a therapist holds a specific certification such as TF-CBT, EMDR or CPT.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

AddictionsLGBTFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseDepression

Also works with

Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesGriefIntimacy-related issuesParenting issuesAnger managementSelf esteemCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderCoping with life changesCoachingCompassion fatigueADHD

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAdoption and foster careAging and geriatric issuesAntisocial personalityAttachment issuesAutism and Asperger SyndromeAvoidant personalityBDSM, kink, and alternative sex cultureBlended family issuesCaregiver issues and stressChronic pain, illness, and disabilityCo-morbidityCodependencyCommitment issuesControl issuesCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDisruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)Divorce and separationDomestic violenceDrug and alcohol addictionEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFatherhood issuesFirst responder issuesForgivenessGender dysphoriaGuilt and shameHIV / AIDSImmigration issuesImpulsivityInfidelityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeMen's issuesMidlife crisisVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMoney and financial issuesMood disordersMulticultural concernsNarcissismObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPanic disorder and panic attacksPolyamory / non-monogamous relationshipsPost-traumatic stressPrejudice and discriminationProcess addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-harmSelf-loveSex addictionSexual assault and abuseSexual dysfunctionSexualitySocial anxiety and phobiaTraumatic brain injuryWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Attachment-Based TherapyClient-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)Existential TherapyMindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingPsychodynamic TherapySolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused Therapy

Experience

10+ years

Credentials

Florida, Wisconsin

Languages

English

Licenses listed

  • LMHC, FloridaMH19494
  • LPC, Wisconsin6837-125
  • NPI1225498983

As listed on the therapist's profile. You can check a license with the state licensing board and an NPI in the national registry.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does Michael commonly address?

He helps with depression, anxiety, addiction, trauma and relationship issues, among other concerns listed in his specialties.

What is his therapy style like?

Sessions are straightforward and collaborative, focusing on practical steps, values, and building self-compassion.

How much experience does he have?

He has ten years of clinical experience working with adults on issues such as social anxiety, trauma, and life transitions.

What credentials and location are listed for this therapist?

He holds LMHC and LPC credentials and practices in Florida.

Are sessions offered in other languages or internationally?

Sessions are offered in English and he is not currently accepting international clients.

Which session formats are available?

The original profile does not specify session formats, so confirm current options before booking.

How are costs handled for therapy with him?

Cost varies by location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.

What are the first steps to begin therapy?

Click the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to the therapist's availability.

Therapists on BetterHelp do not prescribe medication; a doctor can talk with you about medical options. This directory is not a crisis service. If you are in immediate danger, call 911. If you are thinking about suicide, call or text 988.

Michael FentressContinue with Michael