Michael Knapik

Michael Knapik is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Virginia and a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC) in Vermont. He has practiced in mental health since 2007 and brings 18 years of counseling experience to his work. He emphasizes clients' strengths and helps them notice and use those strengths in everyday life.

He uses a mix of approaches to match the person in the room. That can mean drawing on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, cognitive behavioral techniques, dialectical behavior skills, or a client-centered stance that follows the client's priorities. He also incorporates elements of existential thinking and mindfulness when they fit the client’s goals.

Michael has worked with people facing anxiety, stress, addictions, grief, depression, and anger. He has particular experience with end-of-life related concerns because he volunteered in hospice for many years. He also supports people dealing with relationship or intimacy issues, sleeping problems, self-esteem struggles, mood disorders, and process addictions.

His background includes a long career in journalism before counseling, which shaped his listening and communication skills. He focuses on helping people find practical steps they can try between sessions. Sessions often center on small experiments, skill practice, and clearer decision making.

If someone wants to begin, they complete a short matching questionnaire and schedule a time that fits. Michael works in Vermont and conducts sessions in English.

How ACT, CBT, and a Client-Centered Stance Work Online

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT, helps people clarify what matters to them and take small actions that match those values. It is often used for anxiety, stress, and issues where avoidance gets in the way. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, focuses on the link between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and teaches practical techniques to change unhelpful patterns. It is commonly used for anxiety, depression, panic, and mood regulation. Client-centered therapy emphasizes listening and responding to the person’s priorities so sessions follow what matters most to them.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will talk with the person about their goals, try a few methods, and adjust as needed. Together they will pick strategies that fit the client's needs and preferences rather than forcing a single model.

Confirm current session options before booking, as specific formats are not listed here. Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy week, offer shorter check-ins when needed, and allow work on skills and homework between meetings. It also can reduce travel time and let conversations happen from wherever a person is most comfortable focusing. Licensed professionals can work with these approaches in an online setting and adapt sessions to what the client finds most helpful.