Rate Michael Graham

After having worked with Michael for over a year, I have nothing but the best to say. The journey we took made me a better person and feel at peace. I was a disaster when I reached out on BetterHelp (seeking my first-ever therapist), and there couldn't have been a better choice than Michael. I was full of anger, experiencing daily depression, and everything in my life was overwhelming. I was caught in a downward spiral I couldn't escape. Struggling with boundaries in all aspects of my life, I hit my bottom. Michael understood the emotions I was experiencing and could explain how I felt better than I even could. We began an adventure into unrooting these problems and helping me to understand myself. We wrote many chapters together, and he helped me to understand my emotional state on a deeper level. Being kind to myself, mindful of the here and now, setting boundaries, and the roles fear and doubt played on my mind were just a few topics we explored. Over time, I learned to build up my confidence again, spend more time with family and friends, focus on what matters and take chances in life. Some of the best decisions of my life were made with Michael guiding the way. Talking with him felt comfortable, safe, and relatable in every way. I could open up in ways I didn't think possible all while not feeling shame. I would 100% recommend Michael if you are looking for assistance in life. He will be the best guide for helping you navigate through your issues.

Throughout the time working with Michael, I was able to really come out of the shell I had worked myself into. I filled out my entry paperwork with wanting to work on — finding my place in life, codependency, and anger management. I was just getting out of a relationship with someone diagnosed with BPD. Michael helped me tremendously to seek out my former self and get back to enjoying life without fear. I tried stand up comedy for the first time, I met new friends, i bettered myself in my career, and even met a new lady friend to share these fun life experiences with. I truly value Michael’s outlook on life and human interaction. Learning to be kind to yourself and others goes a long way. And share a smile! He’s a kind soul to share your time with. Would recommend him to any one and everyone!

I cannot believe a therapist like Michael actually exists. He has helped me transform my life and heal from trauma I thought I’d never even begin to heal from.

I don’t know how I would have begun to tackle the issues I am facing today without Michael. The growth I have experienced since starting with him is astronomical. He is extremely good at his job. His knowledge and awareness of mental health issues/ trauma is in matched. I’m so grateful to have found him through better help.

Michael is wonderful. In our time together, he helped me listen to myself with greater clarity, and become more sure of myself. Michael asked the tough questions that have helped be be more authentic and empowered in my relationships and build my confidence, and see where my patterns are not serving me. It was a great decision for me to spend my time with Michael.

I've struggled with depression, anxiety and even suicidal thoughts in the past. The rage I've struggled with throughout my life as a response to the sexual, emotional and physical trauma endured have cost me relationships, jobs and several times... My freedom. Seeking help with "my feelings" as a man had not been perceived as an option and more so as a Hispanic man. None of this was true and kindness has shown me another path. I've tried therapy several times in the past, but never with any success. Working with Michael has changed many of my old perceptions with his ability to connect on a real level. He has an ability to ask the right questions to get me to ask myself the questions I need to actually self evaluate. Once I started doing that with his overall approach centered around kindness, for myself first, I could finally be honest with myself about who I want to be. My experience with Michael has been nothing short of life alternating. I am not the same person who joined Better Help.

When I started with Michael I wasn’t sure how the process would go, I had never worked with a counselor before. We unpeeled lots of layers for me to learn how to empower me, love me and be kind to me. I could never have done this without Michael’s help, knowledge, feedback and compassion for helping others. He truly has a gift as a counselor! Thank you, thank you for changing my life!

Before Michael, I tried therapy a few times in the past. I tried going at my university for a year, and I also was on betterhelp for a few months with a different counselor. Before, I didn't really feel comfortable or feel like i was being heard. I didn't feel like i really got to make progress. From the very first session with Michael, I felt something different. I walked away from our first session invigorated and excited to move forward, and I have to say, in the months that followed, I experienced therapy like never before. I felt truly heard and understood with everything. I held nothing back from him, and he held nothing back from me. It was incredibly raw and open, and I have never experienced such productive sessions. He was always incredibly kind and personable, and naturally easy to talk to. He always confronts things head on, and doesn't try to coddle. He will always tell you what he's seeing and what his perception is. I firmly believe that if you are willing to be completely open and honest with him, and open to being confronted about things, then there is no better counselor.

Michael gave me the help I needed when I was at my lowest. I've struggled with mental health problems for most of my life, and my solution was to find coping skills to get rid of what I was feeling. Michael showed me what true acceptance, love and compassion for ourselves looks like, and my life has drastically changed! I have a different perspective on life, and I actually enjoy my body and my own company. It's not easy for anyone to overcome mental health and body image issues, and as a male I don't feel comfortable talking about stuff like this with my friends. I absolutely recommend getting help from Michael - he changed my life!

Michael helped me in so many ways I can't even describe! I was someone who had never been in therapy before, and a few months of sessions with Michael have changed my life. His calm, compassionate presence, genuine attention and thoughtfulness are what makes him unique as a therapist and I don't think I would have made so much progress in a short time if it were not for this. He really listens to you and understands what you're going through, and has a way of helping you arrive to solutions you would otherwise have to go without. I would recommend Michael to anyone!

This therapeutic journey with Michael was my first ever experience with better help and counseling in general. I had recently left an abusive relationship and was trying to figure out why I had let myself stay in an unhealthy relationship for so long. I was guilt ridden, questioning my own sanity, and trying to figure out how to pick myself back up.. When me and Michael began talking I was very hesitant to be seeing a male due to past trauma but decided to try it. Our first session I was very withdrawn, and made it known that he couldn't hurt me as he knew nothing about me. I expected to stumble through my life story and ultimately have Michael give me the answer as to why I made the decisions I did to get me to this point. Skip forward several months and I realized that through Michael's unique way of letting me 'practice life', showing me kindness, and teaching me to be kind to myself, I came up with my own answer as to why I made the choices I did. We worked hard on identifying emotions as this was a brand new concept for me. In the end I am so much more calm, and am able to be a better person for myself and am better equipped to care for my son. All the way down to our last session, Michael challenged me, pushed me, helped me find my confidence, gave me a safe space to sort out my thoughts and emotions, and taught me so many life lessons that I will carry forever.

It has been an absolute privilege to work with Michael, and I know without a doubt that I am a better person for having met him. I came into therapy with a preconceived notion of what my problems were, and what I needed in order to consider myself "fixed". Michael helped steer me in a different path, instead helping me better understand myself and my emotions, helping me to grow to a point where I now feel emotionally prepared to tackle the problems I initially came in wanting to solve. He is thoughtful, mentally stimulating to talk to, funny, and it's clear that he genuinely cares about the people he works with. Working with him has set an incredibly high bar for any future therapist I might work with because of how successful our sessions were, which was all a direct result of his expertise, and compassion.

Before I met Michael, my story was this: For 2+ years, I had been dealing with post-partum depression, and hiding suicidal ideations from loved ones. I went from being a very happy go-lucky people pleasing person, to a shell of my former self. I was scared of telling anyone about these unwanted suicidal thoughts I had been having, and hiding it from my loved ones made me suffer even more. Once I sought treatment from my primary physician, I was prescribed antidepressants. I believe that antidepressants work for many people, but unfortunately I had very bad reactions to 5 different kinds. They made my suicidal ideations much worse, at times. I was starting to scare my loved ones. That's when I decided to try talk therapy. I went through a handful of counselors before meeting Michael. And to be quite honest, I was ready to quit therapy altogether until I met Michael. By this point, I had been made to feel some type of way by medical professionals... That I had severe, treatment resistant depression, that I would never be able to come off of antidepressants, and this impression that something was severely wrong with me. I was told, by a different therapist, that I should place my son in the care of someone else until I was 'better'. This only deepened my fear that I should have never exposed my depression. When you go to the doctor, you're always told "Everything is confidential, unless you have thoughts of hurting yourself, or others". I was really scared to reveal my depression to medical professionals. I was afraid they would say my son should not be in my care, if I'm so "unstable". Therapy with Michael has completely changed the way I view my mental health. By the time Michael and I began speaking, I was extremely jaded, withdrawn, and not very open to the idea of continuing therapy. I asked for our first meet and greet to be over the phone, so I wouldn't have to video chat and him see me cry as I tell my story. He is aware that I am suspicious of most health professionals, that I'm just $$$ walking through their door... Mental health care is not cheap, and by then I had spent a LOT of money trying to get better, with no success. Michael slowly took down my barriers and gained my trust with time, patience, and honesty. Michael is a real guy. Not a saccharine, smooth talking BS'er. He has a lot of experience helping people in crisis situations, and it shows in the way he cares for people. His energy has never made me fearful, nervous, embarrassed, etc in the 6 months of sessions we have had together. Michael has helped me rebuild my confidence. I understand better how my past has shaped me to become the person I am today. And furthermore, Michael has given me the coping tools and positive reinforcements to where I now feel confident that I will be able to take my future into my own hands, and shape the person I will become. I've never had to ask Michael for a direct answer to solve my problem. He has always used his talent for metaphor & very thoughtful insights to help me find these answers for myself, and helps me to talk through it all in an extremely safe space. I no longer feel immense shame when I cry. Michael helped me truly believe that I should not be ashamed of my own emotions. I no longer have the prejudice that men can't be caring and thoughtful; Michael has incredible emotional intelligence. I specifically requested a female therapist because I believed only another woman could help me through my post partum issues. That is just not the case with Michael. He has every ability to help all different kinds of people in all walks of life. And most of all, Michael has taught me how to be kind to myself. I didn't realize how such a simple message was so difficult for me to accept. But it has been the most valuable thing Michael has instilled in me... That I deserve kindness, especially from myself. I could really go on and on. But I don't have to "sell" Michael for him. After meeting him yourself, you can see for yourself why I praise him so highly. Michael truly saved my life. I will always be grateful to him and the incredible impact he has made on my mental health.

I worked with Michael for approximately 4 months. Although it was a short time, he and I were able to get a lot accomplished. Michael always created a safe space for me to share and be vulnerable about my feelings when society is not set up in that way for a couple men. I really resonated with Michael’s methods and approach and how he always treated me with the utmost respect. I always left a session feeling more confident and excited to apply what we talked about. I highly recommend working with Michael.

I worked with Michael for almost 7 months and I couldn't recommend him more highly. He created a judgment-free space that allowed me to open up about current life challenges and deeper beliefs about myself. He challenged my thinking with finesse, and I felt safe pushing back and asking questions of my own. Michael uses humor and levity when needed, and it was easy to connect with him on a real level. It was evident during every session that his main focus was supporting me, and he was whole-heartedly invested in my self-discovery. If you're new to therapy, as I was, Michael is the therapist for you!

I have been working with Michael for a few months now and he has helped me make great progress. I have better skills to help me day to day and for those harder moments in life. He calls you out, not allowing you to keep to old habits. I appreciate his perspective and feel that he has helped me to grow and feel more confident in myself and my actions. I look forward to continuing working with Michael.

Michael has been a fantastic counselor, and great partner in my mental health journey. He always has a great analogy when talking through emotions that brings grounding to an otherwise highly conceptual conversation. He has a plan, let's me talk through my feelings, but always brings me back to what we are working on. I highly recommend Michael to anyone looking for a counselor.

Has been absolutely helpful in understanding my problems and helping me work through them. Very cooperative and would definately recommend!

I was at a very hard time in my life, and I hadn’t tried counseling. I felt like I was pretty uneasy about it, but I am glad i tried it. Michael is a candle light in a much needed room that can be dark. The guidance that I learned, from my time with Michael taught me new life skills that help me vastly on feeling better. I am glad to have met Michael helped me get past this hard time, and I would very much consider reaching out to him again.

Michael is one of a kind! Great tools and perspective

After dealing with extreme panic attacks and anxiety, specifically surrounding big existential stuff, I wondered if therapy would be able to help me tackle such big questions and allow me to find relief. Working with Michael has been so incredibly helpful to me and in our time together. He is very honest, warm, kind, helpful, and compassionate. I was able to tell from my first session with him that his heart is in his work and that he cares very deeply about helping his clients. He's an incredible therapist and he worked with me on some very heavy, deep, and existential life problems with an open heart and a lot of thoughtful listening. I highly recommend him and wish that every therapist could look at therapy like he does.

Always able to help me where it’s needed

This is my first experience working with a counselor, it has been a great experience and Michael really listens to me and hears what I am saying. Gives me homework so he can continue to help. After only a few sessions I would highly recommend him!

Michael is an amazing, understanding, warm soul. He always has the right analogy, and is very well spoken. He knows just the right thing to say, and the right questions to ask. He has helped me to process, and grow, through very rough times and for that I am forever thankful.