About Michael
Dr. Michael Altekruse is a Wisconsin psychologist with 25 years of experience. He helps people who are dealing with stress, anxiety, depression, relationship strain, parenting concerns, and attention challenges.
He brings a calm, respectful approach and a straightforward manner to sessions. He learned his skills working in college counseling centers and a school district. That background means he has worked with a wide range of concerns and life stages.
He asks questions to understand what brought someone to therapy before suggesting ways forward.
Background and approach
In sessions he focuses on clear goals and practical steps. He pays attention to the obstacles that keep people stuck and works with clients to try different approaches. He does not present himself as someone who has all the answers; instead he helps people decide what actions they are willing to take.
Dr. Altekruse uses familiar, evidence-based methods such as client-centered conversation and cognitive-behavioral strategies to address mood, anxiety, and behavior patterns. He also draws on motivational interviewing and solution-focused techniques to support change and build momentum.
Many people find his demeanor calming and direct, with a sense of humor when appropriate. He values respect and sensitivity while encouraging honest work on difficult topics. If someone has already taken the step to seek help, he treats that as an important start and works with them from there.
How his approaches work in online sessions
Client-centered therapy centers the conversation on the person seeking help, letting the therapist follow the client’s concerns and priorities. This approach helps when someone needs a nonjudgmental space to talk through relationship stress, parenting questions, or feelings of anxiety.Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, focuses on noticing unhelpful thoughts and testing new behaviors. It is useful for anxiety, mood concerns, and problems with attention because it breaks issues into specific situations, thoughts, and actions that can be changed.
Motivational interviewing supports people who feel stuck or unsure about change by exploring their own reasons and readiness. It can be helpful for goal setting around work, parenting, or lifestyle shifts.
Finding the right approach is part of the work. He will talk with each person about goals, preferences, and what has or hasn’t helped before. Together they decide which methods to try and adjust the plan as progress is made.
Online therapy offers flexibility through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. Video sessions allow face-to-face conversation, phone sessions can be easier when bandwidth is limited, and messaging or live chat fit shorter check-ins or busy schedules. These options make it easier to fit regular sessions into everyday life while using the therapeutic methods described above.
Questions people ask
What concerns does this therapist address?
What is his therapeutic style like?
How much clinical experience does he have?
What are his credentials and where is he based?
Which languages are supported for sessions?
Can people outside the U.S. work with him?
What session formats are available?
How are fees and scheduling handled?
What this therapist works with
Most often
- Stress, Anxiety
- Relationship issues
- Parenting issues
Also listed
- Abandonment
- ADHD
- Attachment issues
- Caregiver issues and stress
- Communication problems
- Control issues
- Depression
- Family of origin issues
- Family problems
- Fatherhood issues
- Forgiveness
- Guilt and shame
- Impulsivity
- Isolation / loneliness
- Life purpose
- Midlife crisis
- Mood disorders
- Self-love
- Workplace issues
- Young adult issues
Therapeutic approaches
- Experience
- 25 years
- Licensed
- Wisconsin
- Languages
- English
We will earn a commission if you sign up through our link, at no cost to you.