Meet Mike Sondericker
LCMHC-A, LCAS-A
I’m Mike, a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate and Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist Associate. I work with teens and adults navigating anxiety, substance use, depression, relationship challenges, and life transitions.
I offer virtual therapy throughout North Carolina. In-person therapy in Burlington, NC is coming soon.
We’ll work together to understand what’s getting in the way, build on your strengths, and move toward meaningful change.
View Mike’s Psychology Today profile ↗
What it’s like to work with me.
My approach balances accountability and directness with compassion and understanding. I respect your autonomy and the choices you make in your own life, so I'm not here to tell you how to live it. Depending on the person and situation, I might offer a different perspective or help you recognize blind spots and patterns that can be difficult to see on your own. Other times, a softer, more exploratory approach may be what's needed. I also bring humor and positive energy into the room, because even when we're talking about difficult things, I believe a little lightness can help make the work feel more approachable. And while we'll make space for what's hard, I'll also help you notice what's going well, recognize your strengths, and appreciate progress you might otherwise overlook.
We slow down and look at what’s actually going on.
I’ll bring ideas, but we’ll figure out what fits together.
Understanding matters, but so does what you do with it.
You can be honest about the things you usually keep to yourself.
OUTSIDE THE THERAPY ROOM
A little about me.
Outside of work, I'm a dad, and I enjoy spending as much time outdoors as I can. I'm also a big fan of live music. For me, it's about more than the music itself. I love the experience of people coming together, sharing the same moment while everyone experiences it in their own way. In general, I appreciate experiences that help me feel connected to something bigger than myself and remind me how small I am in a really big world. As a former college football player, I enjoy staying active through working out and playing recreational team sports. I also love cooking and experimenting with new recipes in my air fryer.
Who I tend to work well with.
Men who want to get more in touch with their inner world.
You may be used to thinking, solving, or pushing through things—and want to better understand what you’re feeling and what’s happening underneath the surface.
People who know something needs to change, but aren’t sure how to make it happen.
You can see the pattern. The harder part is figuring out what keeps it going and how to do something different.
People changing their relationship with substances or compulsive behaviors.
Alcohol, drugs, pornography, gambling, or another pattern that has started taking up more space in your life than you want it to.
Athletes.
People navigating performance, pressure, motivation, identity, setbacks, or the mental side of competing.
People who are ready to do the work.
You don’t need to have everything figured out, but you do want to be here, be honest, and actively engage in the process.
People who want to go deeper.
You’re interested in more than managing symptoms—you want to understand the patterns, conflicts, and different parts of yourself that may be driving them.
How I work.
I don’t think one therapy model fits everyone. I draw from different approaches depending on who I’m working with, what’s bringing them in, and what seems useful.
Internal Family Systems is an important part of how I think about therapy. It gives us a way to understand the different parts of you that may want very different things—rather than treating those contradictions as something that needs to be fixed or eliminated.
Being a therapist gives me a sense of purpose and meaning. I find fulfillment in being of service to others, helping people find motivation, and offering perspectives they might not have considered before. In a culture that often emphasizes individual achievement and material success, this work helps me stay grounded in what matters most to me: connecting with others and making a positive difference in people's lives.
One of the most rewarding things I've witnessed is how the smallest changes can sometimes make the biggest difference in someone's life. Seeing that progress is what motivates me to continue this work. I also believe in the ripple effect of helping others. If I can make a positive difference in even one person's life, that impact has the potential to extend into their relationships, families, and communities.
Why this work.
Background & Education
LICENSURE
Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate (LCMHCA)
North Carolina
Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist
Associate (LCASA)
North Carolina
Clinical Supervision
I practice under clinical supervision in accordance with North Carolina licensure requirements.
EDUCATION & TRAINING
M.S. in School Counseling
Capella University, 2023
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
Currently completing Level 1 IFS training through Central Connecticut State University (CCSU).
Previous Experience
Before entering clinical practice, Mike worked as a school counselor in a Title I school, supporting students from a wide range of cultural, socioeconomic, and family backgrounds.