Nendler "Dee" Michel , LCSW

Nendler "Dee" Michel is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) based in New York who blends practical guidance with a person-centered stance to support clients through life transitions, relationship challenges, and recovery from addiction.

With 24 years of experience in the human services field, he works with individuals and families on issues including relationship and family difficulties, parenting and blended family concerns, career and self-esteem struggles, stress and anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, addiction, and mood disorders such as depression and bipolar disorder. His practice also addresses attachment and adoption-related issues, caregiver stress, codependency, intimacy and commitment problems, and the consequences of involvement with the justice system.

His approach is relaxed and conversational, focused on getting to know the whole person before offering direction. He incorporates client-centered techniques that prioritize the client's perspective, uses cognitive behavioral strategies to help reframe thinking patterns, and draws on mindfulness practices such as breathing and brief meditation to promote emotional regulation and present-moment awareness. He also integrates motivational conversational styles and coaching skills to encourage practical, sustainable change.

In addition to talk-based work, he offers guidance informed by experience with nutrition, fitness, and wellness to support overall well-being. Across sessions his goal is to deepen clients' self-understanding and help them move toward the life changes they want to make.

Client-centered, cognitive, and mindfulness approaches online

Nendler "Dee" Michel draws on client-centered therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and mindfulness practices to support clients through common life challenges. Client-centered therapy focuses on understanding each person as a whole and creating a collaborative space where the client's own goals guide the work - this approach is helpful for self-esteem, relationship concerns, and parenting issues. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) looks at the connections between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and offers practical tools to shift unhelpful patterns - it is often used for anxiety, depression, stress, and problem-solving. Mindfulness therapy teaches simple attention and breathing practices to increase present-moment awareness and reduce reactivity, which can assist with stress, anger, and coping with difficult emotions.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. He works collaboratively with clients and with licensed professionals and therapists to identify which methods fit a person's needs, goals, and preferences, and adapts strategies over time as progress unfolds.

Online therapy offers practical flexibility - sessions can occur by video call, over the phone, via live chat, or through text-based messaging to fit different schedules and comfort levels. These options make it easier to maintain momentum between sessions and to access support from home or other convenient locations.