Michael Unger (he/him)

My Background and Approach

I have twenty years of experience as a professional counselor. Before starting a private practice I provided mental health counseling in university counseling centers, outpatient mental health clinics and health care clinics. I’m fortunate that my foundational clinical experiences were based in New York City. Due to the diversity of the population, I gained a great amount of experience counseling clients from a wide range of backgrounds. Clients that tend to benefit the most from my approach often struggle with excessive worry, rumination, self-judgment, irritability, low mood/motivation as well as increased stress due to relationship, work, academic or health related concerns. I utilize approaches such as Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy that promote increased self-awareness and self-acceptance. Clients often feel more connected with their own strengths and empowered to cope with stressors through our work together.

My Values as a Therapist

Helping others and embracing diversity are core personal and professional values. I was fortunate to have been raised in a diverse environment in New York City and learned to recognize the strengths in differences. My grandparents participated in the civil rights movement and often cared for those in need. I knew that counseling was my career path soon after I started to take psychology courses in college. When I realized that I could make a living by actively listening, empathizing and utilizing counseling approaches to help others, I didn’t think twice.