Dr. Michael Hayes
A steady counselor for real-life struggles
LPC Tennessee
- Experience
- 21 years in practice
- Focus areas
- Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Family
- Approaches
- Gottman Method, Client-Centered Therapy
- Languages
- English
About Michael
Dr. Michael Hayes helps people facing stress, anxiety, relationship strain, family tension, grief, and big life changes.
Background and approach
He writes and talks plainly, so conversations are direct and easy to follow. He aims to make the first step feel manageable for a worried parent or busy person.
He draws on 21 years of professional experience working in Tennessee as a Licensed Professional Counselor. In sessions he encourages open sharing and listens for what matters most to each person.
That means practical problems get talked through and concrete steps are planned together. Dr.
Hayes uses approaches that focus on the client’s needs and patterns that keep problems going. He often blends client-centered work with cognitive behavioral ideas to identify unhelpful thoughts and try small behavior changes.
The Gottman Method is also part of his practice for helping people understand communication and connection. Sessions tend to focus on short, clear goals - easing anxiety, improving communication, coping with loss, or managing stress at work and home.
He also addresses related concerns like body image, caregiver stress, guilt and shame, and isolation. Anyone who wants straightforward talk and practical tools may find his style helpful.
He supports international clients and offers video, phone, live chat, and text messaging options to fit busy schedules.
How his approaches translate to online care
Dr. Hayes often combines client-centered work, cognitive behavioral techniques, and Gottman-informed practices in online sessions. Client-centered therapy focuses on listening and reflecting so people feel heard and can choose their own goals. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, looks at thoughts and actions that keep problems going and uses small, practical experiments to change them. The Gottman Method offers specific tools for improving communication and managing conflict, useful when people want clearer conversations and better connection.Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. He will talk with each person about goals, preferences, and how they respond to different techniques. Together they decide which methods to try first and adjust the plan as progress is made.
Online sessions use video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging so care fits a busy life. Video lets people practice conversations and notice body language. Phone calls work well when bandwidth is limited or for a quick check-in. Live chat and text messaging offer brief, flexible touchpoints between sessions. These options make it easier to schedule workday check-ins, connect across time zones, or follow up after a difficult event.
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does he help with?
What is his general therapy style?
How long has he been practicing?
What are his credentials and where is he located?
Can I work with him if I live outside the United States?
What session formats does he offer?
How does payment and cost work?
How do I begin working with him?
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
21+ years
Licensed in
Tennessee
Languages
English