Michael Knapik
Relationship-focused counselor who emphasizes strengths
LPC, LCMHC Vermont
- Experience
- 18 years in practice
- Focus areas
- Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Grief
- Approaches
- Gottman Method, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Languages
- English
About Michael
Michael Knapik is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC) practicing in Vermont. He brings 18 years of experience in mental health and a background in journalism to his work.
Background and approach
He centers sessions on clients' strengths and practical steps they can use day to day. Michael uses an eclectic approach that adapts to each person's needs.
He often draws on the Gottman Method to address relationship patterns, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to help with values and action, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors. Sessions are conversational and focused on real-life tools people can use between meetings.
He has worked with people facing stress, anxiety, depression, mood disorders, addictions, grief, anger, and trauma. He also helps with intimacy-related concerns, sleep problems, and challenges tied to caregiving, aging, and serious illness.
His hospice volunteer work informs his understanding of end-of-life and caregiver issues. In session, Michael emphasizes self-compassion and small, manageable changes.
He encourages clients to notice strengths they already have and to build from there. Practical skills, clear goals, and ongoing collaboration guide the process.
Clients can expect session formats that fit their schedules, including video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. Michael aims to help people move toward clearer priorities and steadier coping strategies.
Therapeutic approaches you can use online
Gottman Method focuses on practical skills for relationships, including communication techniques and ways to manage conflict and rebuild connection. It can help people recognize interaction patterns and practice new habits during regular conversations. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT, helps people clarify values and commit to actions that align with those values while accepting difficult thoughts and feelings. It is useful for anxiety, mood concerns, and life transitions. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, targets the thoughts and behaviors that keep problems going and teaches specific strategies to change them, which can help with anxiety, depression, and sleep issues.Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will talk with the client about goals, preferences, and what has or hasn’t worked in the past. Together they decide which methods to try and adjust them as progress is made so the work feels relevant and doable.
Online sessions are offered as video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to fit different schedules and needs. Video calls let people work face to face from home or another quiet place. Phone sessions use less bandwidth and can be easier during a busy day. Live chat and text-based messaging provide brief check-ins, ongoing skill practice, and an option for people who prefer writing. These formats make therapy more flexible and easier to fit into daily life.
Frequently asked questions
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Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
18+ years
Licensed in
Virginia, Vermont
Languages
English