Relationship and Marriage Counseling

Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, State of Illinois #180010064

Clinical Director and Founder of Semillas Counseling PLLC.

My personal mission is my passion to create a safe and meaningful therapeutic experience, generating a greater sense of self-acceptance and self-awareness, to improve the quality of your relationships.  Working collaboratively with each couple, I strive to foster a deeper sense of intimacy, commitment, and connection that will last a lifetime.  I incorporate a caring, directive, solution-oriented approach to minimize the disconnection and expedite the healing process. 

I have been in the mental health field for over 12 years, working in a private practice setting for over 8 years with a strong emphasis in working with couples and families in distress.  

My approach incorporates training from the Evanston Family Therapy Center, Gottman Institute, Emotionally Focused Therapy and the Couples Institute.  I am also trained in EMDR, a technique which can decrease symptoms and advance the therapeutic process.  I am also a Certified Trainer of Mental Health First Aid (Adult)  and also a Prepare/Enrich Facilitator.  

Education:  B.A. in Psychology and M.A. in Community Counseling from Northeastern Illinois University.

Services available in English and Spanish.

Additionally, Michael provides supervision and hosts/facilitates clinical training for provisionally licensed therapists and counseling interns in the Chicagoland area to support their objectives toward developing their work with couples. Michael is a Nationally Certified Counselor and a member of the American Counseling Association.  He also serves on the board of the Chicago Psychoanalytic Institute.

Read my blog here.

Specialties include:   

• Anxiety and Stress Management
• Communication Challenges
• Conflict Resolution 
• Couples in Distress
• Crisis Intervention
• Depressive and Mood Disorders
• Discernment Counseling 
• EMDR / PTSD/ Complex Trauma
• Gender & Sexual Identity Issues
• Group Counseling 
• Infidelity 
• Intimacy Issues & Sex Therapy
• LGBTQ Issues 
• Multiculturalism 
• Premarital Counseling 
• Relationship and Marriage Counseling
• Same-Sex Specialized Counseling
• Sexual Identity 

Accepted Insurance:

• Aetna Behavioral Health (including Student Assistance Program) 
• BlueCross BlueShield - BlueChoice PPO
• BlueCross BlueShield - Preferred PPO
• BlueCross BlueShield - Blue Options/BlueChoice Options
• BlueCross BlueShield - Participating Provider Organization
• CIGNA Behavioral Health 
• United Behavioral Health

Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Affiliate Provider:

• All One Health 
• ACI Specialty Benefits
• Alliance Work Partners
• Carebridge 
• ESPYR
• FEI Workforce Resilience
• Integrated Behavioral Health 
• KGA
• Morneau Shepell 
• New Directions Behavioral Health 
• Reach 
• Workplace Solutions

Michael has also been recipient of Merlin W. Schultz Professional Development Grants awarded by the Schultz Foundation for Advancing Counseling. The Schultz Foundation facilitates positive change by ensuring that counselors and organizations are equipped to handle the emotional and social needs facing families and individuals across Illinois. 

• 2019 Recipient - Yearlong Training in Narrative Therapy offered by Evanston Family Therapy Center
• 2017 Recipient – EMDR Training by the EMDR Institute, Inc.