Michael Masters, LCSW
Compassionate therapist focused on personal stories
Details
| Name | Michael Masters |
|---|---|
| Credentials | LCSW |
| Based in | New York |
| Licensed in | New York |
| Session format | Online |
| Languages | English |
| Years in practice | 5 |
About Michael
Michael Masters is a licensed clinical social worker who helps people navigate painful and confusing life moments. He brings five years of clinical practice in New York and a background in community organizing to his sessions. Michael offers a calm, direct presence and focuses on practical change that fits each person's life.
He often uses Narrative therapy to help people reframe difficult stories and find new meaning. He also draws on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Client-Centered approaches to support values-driven choices and to listen without judgment.
Background and approach
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy tools are used when helpful for managing strong emotions and shifting unhelpful thinking. Michael works with a wide range of concerns including trauma and abuse, grief, anxiety, depression, stress, and addictions. He also addresses issues related to self-esteem, relationships, intimacy, parenting, career, and compassion fatigue.
Additional focus areas include abandonment, adoption and foster care, chronic illness, caregiver stress, and sexual diversity topics such as BDSM and kink culture. In sessions he aims to make things understandable and usable. Conversations tend to focus on what is most pressing, clarify patterns that cause pain, and try out small changes between meetings.
He emphasizes collaboration and helps people decide which tools suit their goals. Michael offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging for people who prefer online formats. Sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time, and international clients can be seen in English.
What this therapist works with
His listing names Trauma and abuse, Grief, Self esteem among the things Michael works with, alongside the areas below.
- Trauma and abuse
- Grief
- Self esteem
- Coping with life changes
- Stress, Anxiety
- Addictions
- LGBT
- Relationship issues
- Family conflicts
- Intimacy-related issues
- Parenting issues
- Anger management
- Career difficulties
- Depression
- Coaching
- Compassion fatigue
- Abandonment
- Adoption and foster care
- Aging and geriatric issues
- Antisocial personality
- Attachment issues
- Autism and Asperger Syndrome
- Avoidant personality
- BDSM, kink, and alternative sex culture
- Blended family issues
- Cancer
- Caregiver issues and stress
- Chronic pain, illness, and disability
- Co-morbidity
- Codependency
- Commitment issues
- Communication problems
- Control issues
- Coping with natural or human-caused disaster
- Dependent personality
- Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)
- Dissociation
- Divorce and separation
- Domestic violence
- Drug and alcohol addiction
- Emptiness
- Family of origin issues
- Family problems
- Fatherhood issues
- Fertility issues
- First responder issues
- Forgiveness
- Guilt and shame
- HIV / AIDS
- Intellectual disability
- Isolation / loneliness
- Jealousy
- Life purpose
- Men's issues
- Midlife crisis
- Veteran and Armed Forces Issues
- Money and financial issues
- Mood disorders
- Multicultural concerns
- Narcissism
- Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD
- Panic disorder and panic attacks
- Paranoia
- Personality disorders
- Phobias
- Polyamory / non-monogamous relationships
- Post-traumatic stress
- Prejudice and discrimination
- Process addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)
- Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
- Self-harm
- Self-love
- Sex addiction
- Sexual assault and abuse
- Sexual dysfunction
- Sexuality
- Smoking / vaping cessation
- Social anxiety and phobia
- Somatization
- Traumatic brain injury
- Women's issues
- Workplace issues
- Young adult issues
Approaches listed
- Narrative Therapy: Named in his listing among his approaches.
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): Listed by Michael among the ways he works.
- Client-Centered Therapy: Listed by Michael among the ways he works.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Listed by Michael among the ways he works.
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): Listed by Michael among the ways he works.
- Existential Therapy: Listed by Michael among the ways he works.
- Jungian Therapy: Listed by Michael among the ways he works.
- Motivational Interviewing: Listed by Michael among the ways he works.
- Psychodynamic Therapy: Listed by Michael among the ways he works.
- Solution-Focused Therapy: Listed by Michael among the ways he works.
- Trauma-Focused Therapy: Listed by Michael among the ways he works.
- Training stated: This directory copies the approaches a therapist names and does not check training records. Ask Michael directly how much of the work is narrative and what a session usually looks like.
Narrative Therapy in this listing
Narrative Therapy appears in this therapist's own list of approaches. That tells you it is part of how he works. It does not tell you how much of a session it shapes, and this directory does not check or rate training.
If a narrative approach is what you are looking for, it is worth asking Michael directly how he uses it and what a session usually looks like.
Online session options
How Narrative and ACT Fit into Online Care
Michael often blends Narrative therapy with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and client-centered listening. Narrative therapy looks at the stories people tell about themselves and helps reframe those stories so they feel less stuck. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy focuses on clarifying values and taking small, meaningful actions even when emotions are hard. Client-centered work means the therapist listens carefully and follows the person’s lead while offering support and reflection.The therapist approaches finding the right method as a collaborative process. He will talk with the person about goals, try different techniques, and adjust course based on what feels useful. That way the work stays grounded in what the person wants to change and what they can realistically do between sessions.
Online sessions are offered by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to make therapy flexible. Video calls let people use visual cues for deeper conversation. Phone sessions can be lower bandwidth and easier to fit into a work break. Live chat or text sessions work well for quick check-ins, written reflection, or when someone prefers not to be on camera. These options help people access consistent care from different locations and schedules.
Common questions about this listing
What kinds of problems does he address?
He helps people dealing with trauma and abuse, grief, anxiety, depression, stress, addictions, self-esteem, relationship and intimacy issues, parenting, career concerns, and compassion fatigue.
How would you describe his therapeutic style?
He uses a narrative-informed, client-centered style that listens first and then suggests practical steps. Sessions mix story work with concrete tools for coping and behavior change.
What is his background and experience?
He has five years of clinical practice in New York and earlier work as a community organizer supporting people affected by systemic conflict and trauma.
Where is he based and what are his credentials?
He is based in New York and holds the LCSW credential, licensed in New York.
Can sessions be done in languages other than English?
Sessions are offered in English and international clients are accepted.
What formats are available for therapy sessions?
He provides video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to fit different preferences and schedules.
How is cost handled?
Sessions are provided through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time; cost varies with location and therapist availability.
What should I do to begin working with him?
Use the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to the therapist's availability.
Contacting this therapist
Sessions with Michael are arranged through our partner platform. It asks a few questions about what you are looking for, then shows you the therapists available to you, including Michael where he has space. Ask about fees, and whether he holds a licence or registration where you live.
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