Michael Jenkins , LICSW

Michael Jenkins is a licensed clinician in Alabama with four years of professional experience who works with people facing addictions, trauma and abuse, depression, anxiety, grief, and substance use disorders. He practices as an LICSW - a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker - and centers his work on helping individuals build practical skills and resilient coping strategies while honoring their personal strengths and life stories.

He approaches therapy from a strengths-based perspective, treating each person as the expert of their own experience and partnering with them to set meaningful goals. Michael emphasizes that taking the initial step toward change requires courage, and he aims to offer steady support throughout that process. His role is to help clients pursue the goals they choose for themselves, whether those goals relate to recovery from addiction, processing trauma, managing mood and anxiety, or rebuilding a sense of purpose and connection.

Michael focuses on a respectful, collaborative relationship that prioritizes the client’s values and pace. He works to create a space where people can explore their challenges, identify resources within themselves, and move toward more fulfilling and balanced lives with guidance tailored to their needs.

Therapeutic approaches and online support for recovery

Michael Jenkins integrates client-centered therapy by focusing on each person’s strengths, values, and goals. This approach emphasizes empathy and collaboration, helping people who are coping with grief, anxiety, or identity and relationship concerns feel heard and guided rather than directed.

He also uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help clients recognize and shift unhelpful thoughts and behaviors. CBT is practical and skills-oriented, which many people find useful for managing anxiety, depression, panic, and patterns tied to substance use.

Motivational Interviewing is another part of his toolkit, designed to support ambivalence and build internal motivation for change. This approach is often helpful for people working through addiction, readiness for treatment, or other life transitions where commitment to change feels uncertain.

Finding the right combination of methods is a collaborative process. Michael works with each person to identify which approaches match their needs, goals, and preferences, adjusting the plan as progress and challenges arise.

Online therapy options include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, offering flexibility for different schedules and comfort levels. These formats make it easier to attend regular sessions, maintain momentum between meetings, and access therapeutic support from home or work when in-person visits are not practical.