Michael Pfisterer
Helping families turn strengths into progress
- Credentials
- LCSW
- Experience
- 14 years
- Licensed in
- New York, South Carolina, Nevada
- Languages
- English
- Format
- Online sessions
About Michael
Michael Pfisterer is a licensed clinical social worker with 14 years of experience who focuses on family and parenting concerns alongside a broad range of personal challenges. He aims to help people spot their strengths and use those strengths to reach practical goals. Sessions are straightforward and goal oriented, with an emphasis on small steps that build toward bigger changes.
He draws on client-centered ideas to keep conversations grounded in each person’s priorities.
Background and approach
That means the therapist listens closely, reflects what matters to the client, and helps shape goals that feel realistic. He also uses solution-focused tools - short-term, task-based strategies meant to produce measurable progress. These approaches are often used for stress, anxiety, depression, and problems tied to life transitions or trauma.
He has experience supporting people with developmental differences, executive functioning struggles, and addiction concerns. He also has worked on family crisis response and helping household members improve how they relate to one another. Michael blends practical techniques with attention to a person’s life story.
Together with the client he sets goals, plans small tasks, and checks what’s working. That structure helps produce both quick wins and longer-term gains. He lives in South Carolina with his wife, daughters, and two dogs.
Michael welcomes international clients and holds licenses as an LCSW in New York and Nevada.
How his approaches work online
Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening and reflecting what matters to each person. The therapist follows the client’s lead, helps clarify goals, and supports choices that fit the client’s life. This style is useful when people need understanding and a steady space to sort out parenting and family concerns.Solution-Focused Therapy concentrates on small, practical steps that move someone toward clear goals. Sessions often include task-based exercises and strategies to produce quick, measurable changes. This approach can help with stress, anxiety, addiction-related goals, and life transitions.
Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. Michael will discuss what feels most useful, try different techniques when needed, and adjust plans based on the client’s needs and preferences. Together the client and therapist pick goals and ways to track progress.
Online sessions offer flexibility and access to care across locations. Video calls let people talk face-to-face, phone sessions remove travel needs, and live chat or text-based messaging provide quick check-ins and ongoing support between meetings. These options can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy family schedule and to continue work during life changes.
Client-Centered Therapy
The direction comes from you rather than from a set programme. The therapist offers a warm, non-judgemental space to think out loud and work at your own pace. Online, this rests on the relationship rather than on being in the same room.
Solution-Focused Therapy
Rather than examining the problem at length, this looks at what is already working and builds on it. Sessions tend to be practical and forward-looking, with small achievable steps, which translates readily to shorter online conversations.
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does Michael address?
What is his general therapy style?
What background does he bring to sessions?
Where is he licensed and located?
Which languages are supported and can international clients work together?
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How does billing and cost work?
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Specialties and expertise
Top specialties
- Stress, Anxiety
- Parenting issues
- Depression
Also works with
- Addictions
- Anger management
- Autism and Asperger Syndrome
- Bipolar disorder
- Career difficulties
- Codependency
- Compassion fatigue
- Coping with life changes
- Drug and alcohol addiction
- Eating disorders
- Family conflicts
- Grief
- Impulsivity
- Intellectual disability
- Intimacy-related issues
- LGBT
- Life purpose
- Mood disorders
- Panic disorder and panic attacks
- Polyamory / non-monogamous relationships
- Relationship issues
- Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
- Self esteem
- Sleeping disorders
- Smoking / vaping cessation
- Social anxiety and phobia
- Trauma and abuse
- Young adult issues
Therapeutic approaches
- Experience
- 14 years
- Licensed
- New York, South Carolina, Nevada
- Languages
- English
Next step
Talk to Michael
- Takes a few minutes
- Nothing to set up just to look
- Stop at any point