Michael Misterka , MD, LCSW-C

Michael Misterka helps clients make practical, lasting changes to improve daily life and relationships. He approaches therapy with a client-centered, client-motivated stance, encouraging open conversation about treatment options and supporting each person as they decide what they want to achieve. Michael frames progress as a collaborative journey and aims to walk alongside clients until they reach their goals.

His clinical work draws on a blend of developmental, psychodynamic, cognitive, reality, and experiential practices to address the emotional and behavioral patterns that get in the way of satisfaction and functioning. That mix allows him to tailor strategies to individual needs, whether someone is navigating relationship conflict, rebuilding after trauma, or coping with anxiety and depression.

With 15 years of counseling experience, Michael has focused on a range of presenting concerns including relationship and family difficulties, parenting challenges, substance use and related family disruptions, incarceration and reentry issues, and the needs of combat veterans readjusting to civilian life. He also works with anger management, grief, intimacy-related struggles, self-esteem and life-purpose questions, ADHD, and other adjustments that arise during major life changes.

Michael holds an MD, which denotes a Doctor of Medicine degree, and an LCSW-C, a clinical social work license that authorizes practice in therapeutic settings. He practices in Maryland and provides services in English.

Therapeutic approaches adapted for online care

Michael Misterka draws from Attachment-Based Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, and Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) to guide his work. Attachment-Based Therapy explores how early relationships shape current patterns and helps people create more secure, connected ways of relating - useful for attachment issues, intimacy concerns, and family conflicts. Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes empathy, respect, and collaboration so clients lead the pace of change while the therapist provides support and reflection - effective for building self-esteem, coping with life changes, and clarifying goals. Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) focuses on identifying and reshaping emotional responses within relationships to improve connection and reduce conflict - often applied to couples work and relational repair.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Michael works collaboratively with each person to determine which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences, adapting techniques over time as progress unfolds. Clients are invited to discuss what feels most helpful so treatment reflects their priorities.

Online therapy options - including video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging - provide flexibility to fit sessions into busy schedules and to maintain continuity through life transitions. These remote formats make it easier to access licensed professionals from different locations and to choose the communication style that best supports a client's comfort and progress.