About Michael
Michael Shugrue is a licensed clinical social worker with 25 years of experience helping people manage stress and anxiety. He practices in New Jersey and focuses on common concerns like depression, relationship strain, family dynamics, and self-esteem. Michael aims to make therapy straightforward and practical for people feeling overwhelmed by everyday pressures.
He uses approaches backed by research to guide conversations and develop concrete plans. Sessions center on understanding what is happening now, spotting unhelpful patterns, and trying small changes that make daily life easier.
Background and approach
Michael works at a steady pace and adjusts steps to each person's needs. Therapy with him emphasizes collaboration. He helps people identify strengths, set realistic goals, and track progress over time.
Sessions are conversational and goal-oriented, with attention to what feels doable between meetings. Over his career Michael has supported many people through transitions and difficult periods. He focuses on building practical coping skills for stress and anxiety while also addressing problems that affect mood and self-worth.
His approach balances short-term strategies and longer-term insight. People who contact him can expect direct, respectful conversations and a plan that reflects their priorities. He encourages questions and keeps recommendations simple so they can be put into action.
How evidence-based approaches work online
Michael uses evidence-based therapeutic techniques that focus on practical change. One common approach helps people notice and change unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns so anxiety and low mood are easier to manage. It teaches clear steps for breaking cycles that keep problems going, and it often includes small experiments to try between sessions.Another frequently used method focuses on building coping skills and emotion regulation. This approach teaches concrete tools for calming strong feelings, improving sleep, and handling stressful moments with less overwhelm. It is useful for people dealing with panic, ongoing worry, or persistent low mood.
Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will talk with each person about goals, history, and preferences, then pick techniques that fit. Decisions are made together and adjusted as progress is tracked.
Online sessions use video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to fit different needs. Video is good for deeper conversations when visual cues matter. Phone sessions work well when bandwidth is limited or a quieter check-in is needed. Live chat and messaging allow brief updates or ongoing support between meetings. These options make therapy more flexible for busy schedules and for people who prefer different ways of communicating.
Questions people ask
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What this therapist works with
Most often
- Stress, Anxiety
- Relationship issues
- Family conflicts
Also listed
- Experience
- 25 years
- Licensed
- New Jersey
- Languages
- English
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