Michael Winkler

Michael Winkler

Michael brings nearly 20 years of clinical experience to his work, helping people psychologically and spiritually. He holds a Masters of Divinity and a Masters of Arts in Counseling. 

Originally from Miami, Florida, Michael is a Colombian American who speaks both English and Spanish. He has worked in therapeutic settings in Latin America and trained for almost two years in the historically Black community of Eatonville, Florida. As a result, he is uniquely suited for handling questions of race, cultural identity, and issues surrounding bi-cultural marriages.  

While Michael is skilled at handling various issues, like depression, anxiety, and addiction, he has spent much of his career learning how to define and address the core struggles men face - questions of purpose, work-family balance, parenting, and marriage. 

He is an experienced marriage counselor, having successfully helped couples stuck in decades-old patterns of conflict. And since the beginning of his training Michael has dedicated countless hours to learning about and helping men whose lives feel inconsolably divided between their love for God and the persistence of their same-sex attractions.  

As of late, Michael is especially interested in developing a theology of resilience to address the spiritual disillusionment and the unexpected insights that inevitably follow in the aftermath of trauma. Toward this end, in 2023 he began a Ph.D. in Practical Theology to study the history and relevance of Christian contemplative spirituality for the 21st century.

“After 28 years of marriage it seemed the issues were hopelessly woven together.  It was impossible to see things clearly through all that history.  Mike skillfully but humbly unpacked the relationship with us, helping us heal and rebuild trust.  Rather than taking a person's side, Mike was an advocate for the marriage.  He has a way of speaking truth, while knowing where a person's limits are, and preserving safety for everyone in the room.  Our counseling transformed our relationship with each other and with our children, and our home is a different place.”

 "I came to see Mike at a pretty low moment in my life. I was struggling with major anxiety, complicated family wounds, and painful religious abuses. He has listened actively and helped me engage the issues I am facing with a perspective that pushes me to grow in new and healthy ways. He has helped me find language for the ways I have navigated past wounds with kindness and compassion while continuing to point toward healing and hope."

"My counseling with Mike has been immeasurably helpful. Our time together has led to numerous breakthrough moments, which have brought new levels of personal understanding that I am confident I would never have reached without Mike's skill and care. Based off my extensive time with him, I have gladly shared my experiences of Mike's counseling with friends and will continue to wholeheartedly recommend him to anyone interested in receiving counseling."