Michael Misterka, LCSW-C

Michael Misterka is a licensed clinical social worker with fifteen years of practice in Maryland. He helps people make practical changes when stress, anxiety, relationship tensions, parenting strain, or grief feel overwhelming. He emphasizes collaboration and clear goals so clients know what they want to work toward.

Michael uses a client-centered approach that keeps the person's priorities in focus. He encourages honest conversation about what will help and respects the decisions clients make about their lives. He aims to be a steady partner during the process rather than directing every step.

In sessions he draws from attachment-based ideas, emotionally-focused work, psychodynamic thinking, motivational interviewing, and solution-focused strategies. That mix means sessions can include talking through past patterns, identifying emotional needs, building motivation for change, and creating small experiments to try between meetings.

Michael has worked with people facing trauma and abuse, addiction, family-of-origin wounds, and reentry challenges related to incarceration. He also supports those dealing with anger, intimacy problems, career questions, ADHD, and life transitions. His experience includes a focus on fathers and menissues among other concerns.

People choosing him can expect straightforward language and a practical focus on steps that matter. To begin a match, prospective clients complete a short questionnaire and then schedule based on the therapist's availability.

How therapeutic approaches translate to online work

Attachment-based work focuses on how early bonds shape current relationship patterns. Online sessions can help people notice those patterns, name needs, and practice new ways of connecting with others.

Client-centered therapy places the person's goals and values at the center. In an online setting this means the therapist listens, reflects, and follows the client's priorities while supporting practical choices between sessions.

Emotionally-Focused Therapy emphasizes identifying and shifting emotional responses that keep people stuck in conflict or distance. Through guided conversation, clients learn to recognize their emotions and try different ways of responding that improve closeness.

Finding the right approach is part of the work together. The therapist will talk with clients about their goals, preferences, and what feels most useful, then test methods collaboratively rather than imposing a single model.

This profile does not specify which session formats are offered, so confirm options before booking. Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy life by removing travel time, allowing shorter check-ins, or enabling sessions from wherever it is most convenient. It also lets people continue work when schedules change or travel is necessary, while the therapist and client decide together on pacing and structure.