Dr. Michael Hayes

Dr. Michael Hayes focuses on helping people who are dealing with stress, anxiety, relationship strain, grief, and major life changes. He speaks plainly and aims to make the first steps feel manageable for someone who is worried or overwhelmed. He is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) practicing in Tennessee and has 21 years of experience.

In sessions he creates a calm, nonjudgmental space for people to talk through what matters most to them. He listens for what the client wants to change and helps set practical goals. Conversations are rooted in what the client brings, not a strict script.

His approach draws on client-centered work that prioritizes the client's perspective. He also uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to identify unhelpful thoughts and try small, testable changes. For relationship concerns he incorporates the Gottman Method to address communication patterns and rebuild connection.

Dr. Hayes also helps with body image concerns, caregiver stress, workplace problems, guilt and shame, and feeling isolated. He supports people facing divorce or separation and those wrestling with forgiveness or purpose.

He accepts clients from outside the United States and works in English. To begin, people complete a short matching questionnaire and schedule according to availability. Sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

How his approaches translate to online therapy

Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening and reflecting the client's experience back in a way that helps people feel heard and understood; online sessions can preserve that open, conversational tone and make it easier to meet from wherever is convenient.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) breaks problems into thoughts, feelings, and actions and then tests small changes to improve daily life; this work often uses short exercises and weekly check-ins that fit well into an online rhythm.

The Gottman Method looks at communication patterns and specific interaction habits that affect relationships; in online sessions this can mean practicing new ways of talking and planning small behavior changes between meetings.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will discuss goals, try methods that match those goals, and adjust the plan together based on what helps most. That collaborative process aims to make therapy feel relevant and practical.

The biography does not list specific session formats, so confirm current options before booking. Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy schedule, reduce commute time, and allow shorter check-ins when needed. It can also make it possible to continue work with a licensed professional when location or travel would otherwise be a barrier.