Miguel Gonzalez, LPC, is a Licensed Professional Counselor on the Behavioral Health team at WFMC Health. Since joining WFMC Health in January 2022, he has helped patients access behavioral health support in a setting that feels connected, familiar, and welcoming. As part of an integrated care team, Miguel works alongside primary care providers to support the whole person, helping patients feel seen, heard, and cared for.

Miguel Gonzalez

His Path Into Healthcare

Miguel’s path into counseling grew out of a long-standing desire to work closely with people.

“I knew I’ve always wanted to work with people in a clinical setting,” he shared. His undergraduate background in psychology and sociology at Western Oregon University gave him a strong foundation, along with the next steps that would lead him into the counseling profession.

A key turning point came during his undergraduate training, when he had the opportunity to spend practicum hours with middle school students. That early experience helped make the work feel real.

“I think that practicum experience really opened up my eyes at what it could actually look like in a counseling setting,” he said.

He also credits the people who helped guide him along the way.

“I was really fortunate to have people guide me on how to get to those steps.”

His Role at WFMC Health

At WFMC Health, Miguel serves as a behavioral health provider in the primary care clinic.

“I see patients here at the primary care clinic, and I support primary care physicians when anything behavioral health-wise and mental health-wise comes up here.”

His days may include meeting patients during a medical visit when behavioral health concerns come up, as well as follow-up appointments that allow for continuity of care.

What makes this role especially meaningful is the way behavioral health is woven into the patient experience.

Miguel described it as a “really cool opportunity for patients getting to have their first experience with behavioral health.”

Rather than being referred somewhere else to begin the behavioral health process, patients can often connect with support right away.

“The physician’s able to go get one of us to come and talk to the patient right there,” he explained.

He also values the way integrated care helps patients sort through physiological concerns that may overlap between physical and mental health.

“It’s a very neat experience of being able to work with the medical side,” he said. “Maybe there is something medical going on, but maybe it’s just anxiety. So that’s where we’re able to step in and support the patient with that type of care.”

How He Cares for Patients

For Miguel, the heart of good care starts with how a patient feels in the room.

“I want them to feel welcome. I want them to feel heard,” he said.

Those are not small goals. They shape the way he introduces himself, how he communicates, and how he builds trust, especially for patients who may be meeting with a behavioral health provider for the first time.

He believes trust and rapport begins with presence and authenticity.

“The way you present yourself—authentic self—can go a long way.”

He also takes care to explain who he is, why he is there, and what support may look like. At WFMC Health, behavioral health conversations are approached with respect and openness, with the goal of caring for “the whole of the patient, not just the medical part.”

Miguel also brings bilingual care to many of the patients he sees. He speaks both Spanish and English, and he has seen how much it can matter when patients are able to communicate in the language that feels most natural to them.

“When I get to speak Spanish with a patient,” he shared, “I’ve observed there’s a little bit of an ease…and I think that allows the client at times to feel a little bit more welcome.”

Why WFMC Health Matters to Him

WFMC Health is meaningful to Miguel not only because of the work, but because of the place. He grew up in this community, and serving patients here feels personal.

“This is my community. This is the community I grew up in,” he said. Returning to care for the people in the area where he went to middle school and high school has been, in his words, “a really special thing.”

“It has been kind of a full circle for me.”

He also values the teamwork that makes integrated care possible.

“I’m very privileged to be working with a good set of clinicians,” Miguel said. He spoke warmly about consulting with fellow behavioral health clinicians, medical assistants, nurses, and others across the clinic.

“Our administration is very supportive as well,” he added.

That collaboration helps him stay grounded and supported while working to provide the best care possible for patients.

What You Can Expect as a Patient

As a patient, you can expect a calm, respectful experience centered on conversation, understanding, and support. Miguel knows that many people may not be sure what counseling is or what to expect from it, especially if it is their first time.

“I think there’s a lot of stigma within many different cultures still,” he added. “Accessing these services may be viewed negatively sometimes. So just really understanding what it is and how we can all benefit.”

Part of his role is helping people become more comfortable with the process and better understand how behavioral health can support them. He encourages people to start by asking questions and learning what the process looks like.

“As clinicians, what we try to do here is inform as best as we can what this experience can be.”

This practical, low-pressure approach can be especially meaningful for people who may feel unsure, anxious, or influenced by stigma around behavioral health care.

A Little More About Miguel

“This is my community. This is the community I grew up in.”

Outside of work, Miguel makes time for the people and activities that help him stay grounded.

“I like to exercise. I love sports. Making sure that I’m spending time with my family.”

Those simple but important parts of life help sustain him and reflect the balance he values both personally and professionally.

A Warm Welcome

Miguel brings a thoughtful, community-centered approach to behavioral health—one that makes space for questions, honors each person’s experience, and helps patients feel welcome from the start.

Whether someone is reaching out for support for the first time or continuing their care journey, his hope is to make the experience feel approachable and respectful. At WFMC Health, that kind of care is part of supporting the whole person.

Ready to Get Started?

If you’re looking for a primary care provider or behavioral health professional who takes time to listen and partner with you, WFMC Health is accepting new patients.

Our team is here to support you and your family with compassionate, community-centered care. To learn more or schedule an appointment, contact WFMC Health today.

Watch the full interview with Miguel:

You can watch the full Heart of Local interview with Miguel below.