Michael Spackman, PACFA

Michael Spackman is a counsellor who helps people facing stress, anxiety, grief and relationship strain find clearer ways forward. He works with people dealing with trauma, family conflict and identity issues, including LGBT concerns. Michael offers direct, down-to-earth support and aims to create a non-judgemental space where thoughts and feelings can be named and worked through.

He uses practical conversations to help people make changes that suit their life. Sessions focus on small, manageable steps rather than overwhelming theory. Michael emphasises listening first, then helping clients set goals and try things that fit their values and circumstances.

Michael draws on approaches such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and cognitive-behaviour strategies to help with unhelpful thoughts and avoidance. He also uses attachment-informed ideas to look at relationship patterns and how early experiences can shape responses now. Dialectical behaviour therapy skills are available when emotion regulation and distress tolerance work is useful.

He has eight years of professional experience and holds PACFA accreditation. That background informs how he blends different approaches to match each person. Michael aims to be practical, calm and clear when working through difficult feelings and decisions.

People choose to work with him when they want a supportive but straightforward counsellor to help with depression, anger, ADHD challenges, sexual culture questions like kink, or complex grief. He encourages curiosity, trial and feedback as part of the change process.

Therapeutic approaches and how they work online

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on helping people live with difficult thoughts while taking actions that matter to them. It uses values clarification and simple exercises to reduce avoidance and increase meaningful activity. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) looks at the links between thoughts, feelings and actions and teaches practical skills to change unhelpful patterns. It is often used for anxiety, depression and stress. Attachment-Based Therapy examines how early relationships influence current patterns and supports people to understand and shift how they relate to others.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will talk with each person about goals and preferences, then try methods that suit their situation. Progress is monitored together and adjustments are made when something does not feel helpful.

The biography does not list specific online session formats, so confirm current options before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life, reduce travel time and allow a quicker check-in between tasks. Some formats need less bandwidth or camera use and can be useful for short coaching-style sessions or check-ins. Appropriately qualified counsellors can adapt exercises, homework and emotion-regulation skills for remote sessions to keep the work practical and focused.