Michael Carnevale

My name is Michael Carnevale and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker based in San Francisco, California who works with clients statewide via Telehealth. I have experience serving a diverse client population of all ages using primarily Dialectical Behavioral Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy/Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. I operate from a person-in-environment lens that acknowledges the many factors and variables in our lives beyond the individual.

My approach

I operate from an open-minded, humanistic, client-centered approach that respects the client as the expert in their own experience. I treat my therapy clients with mutual respect, unconditional positive regard, and non-judgment. I like to adapt the treatment modalities I implement to fit the strengths and preferences of the clients I treat. I want my clients to feel like our sessions are their time to get what they feel they need to learn, grow, and feel better as we collaboratively work towards accomplishing their goals.

My focus

I have years of experience working with a diverse client population of teens, adults, and older adults in the San Francisco Bay Area. I have experience working on an in-patient psychiatric unit in a hospital setting and have also served therapy clients in an outpatient setting. I am comfortable and familiar with treating clients with a history of trauma. I have experience and am comfortable treating trauma, depression, anxiety, Bipolar, and psychosis symptoms. I also have experience conducting individual therapy sessions, as well as facilitating family therapy sessions to address family dynamic-related issues.

My communication style

I want to create an environment where my clients feel safe and comfortable sharing at a pace that feels right for them. I always want my client's to feel seen, heard, respected, and accepted. I want my clients to feel comfortable asking for what they need from me. I want my clients to feel accepted. I want my client to feel supported in accomplishing their treatment goals.

My journey to mental healthcare

I always knew I wanted to work in a helping profession but was unsure what path to take until I participated in therapy myself and experienced how healing, enlightening, and refreshing it can be. I believe that many of us lack an opportunity for self-reflection to think about our lives in a way that helps us learn and grow, and I enjoy helping others to do just that.

My goals for you

Goal setting should be a collaborative, but client-driven process. I believe that it is important that clients feel like they own their treatment goals, and that the goals we set accurately reflect what they would like to accomplish in treatment.

My first session with you

In our first session, I like to ask clients about their preferences, expectations, and overall goals and desired outcomes that they would like to accomplish in therapy. I also like to provide clients with the opportunity to ask any questions that they may have.