- Client-Centered Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Motivational Interviewing
About Michael
Dr. Michael Altekruse is a Wisconsin psychologist (WI Psychologist 2118-57) with 25 years of professional experience. He works with adults on concerns including stress, anxiety, relationships, parenting, depression, and ADHD. He also addresses family of origin issues and related topics such as attachment, communication problems, and fatherhood issues.
He draws information from clients about what brought them to therapy and what matters most to them. Sessions focus on setting clear goals and noticing the patterns that block progress. He asks practical questions about behaviors and choices that keep people stuck and looks for small, achievable steps forward.
His background includes work in college counseling centers and a school district, so he has experience with a wide range of life stages and problems. That background informs how he frames goal-setting and problem-solving in session. He balances direct conversation with attention to feelings and relational patterns.
He uses client-centered approaches and methods that focus on thoughts and behaviors when helpful. Motivational interviewing and solution-focused techniques appear when clients want to identify specific changes or next steps. The work tends to be collaborative and action-oriented rather than relying on the therapist to have all the answers.
People who come to him often want clear feedback, practical strategies, and a conversational approach. He emphasizes the client’s role in choosing actions and testing changes. He encourages starting with one manageable step and reviewing its effects over time.
How his approaches are used in online sessions
Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening and understanding a person’s experience. The therapist reflects concerns and priorities so clients can clarify what matters to them and decide next steps. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy looks at how thoughts and behaviors interact and uses practical exercises to test new ways of responding, which can help with anxiety, mood, and impulsivity.Finding the right approach is part of the work. He will discuss different methods and decide together which fit the client’s needs, goals, and preferences. That collaboration means trying strategies, reviewing how they went, and adjusting the plan as needed.
Session formats are not specified here, so confirm current options before booking. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into busy schedules, shorten travel time, or allow for a check-in during a break from work. Some approaches, like CBT exercises or motivational interviewing conversations, adapt well to remote sessions because they focus on concrete steps, homework, and follow-up between meetings.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
25+ years
Listed in
Wisconsin
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does he address?
He works with stress, anxiety, relationship difficulties, parenting concerns, depression, ADHD, and related issues such as attachment and family of origin problems.
What is his therapeutic style?
He takes a client-centered approach that also uses cognitive behavioral techniques, motivational interviewing, and solution-focused work when appropriate.
How much experience does he bring?
He has 25 years of professional experience, including roles in college counseling centers and a school district.
What are his credentials and where is he based?
He is listed as WI Psychologist 2118-57 and practices in Wisconsin.
Which languages are supported?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can people outside the U.S. work with him?
He is not currently accepting international clients.
How are sessions scheduled and what does cost look like?
Cost varies with location; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin a session with him?
Click the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule your first session.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger, use the emergency numbers. Looking for someone else? Find them by surname.