Mali Austriyak Mikhli, LCSW-R

Mali Austriyak Mikhli is a licensed clinical social worker with forty years of experience in New York. She chose social work early in life after seeing how much a thoughtful, empathic therapist can change someone's day-to-day functioning. Mali aims to be practical and responsive in sessions, offering steady support while clients work through hard moments.

Her style is warm and interactive. She listens closely and helps people name what matters most right now. Sessions combine supportive conversation with focused strategies to manage symptoms and improve daily routines.

Mali has worked with a wide range of ages, cultures, and lifestyles. She has particular experience with post-traumatic stress, bereavement, and early childhood disruption and trauma. She also helps people dealing with stress, anxiety, relationship and family concerns, grief, depression, parenting challenges, career questions, bipolar mood concerns, and coping with life changes.

Her practice draws on several common therapeutic approaches, including client-centered work, cognitive behavioral techniques, emotionally-focused ideas, mindfulness practices, and narrative methods. In plain terms, that means sessions can include talking through difficult feelings, learning specific skills to manage thoughts and behavior, and making sense of life stories.

Mali speaks English, Spanish, and Yiddish and accepts international clients. She emphasizes respect, sensitivity, and compassion, and she supports people who want to take steps toward more satisfying, manageable lives.

Online approaches that fit your day-to-day life

Client-centered therapy focuses on the person's experience and priorities. The therapist listens without judgment and helps people clarify what matters, which can be useful for stress, grief, and life transitions.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) teaches practical skills to change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors. It is often used for anxiety, depression, and managing mood shifts by practicing concrete tools between sessions.

Emotionally-focused ideas support understanding and responding to strong feelings in relationships and close connections. This can help people struggling with intimacy-related issues or family patterns.

Finding the right approach is part of the process. The therapist will work with the client to figure out which combination of methods fits the client's needs, goals, and preferences. That decision is made together and can change as progress unfolds.

Confirm current session options before booking so you know which formats are available. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy week, reduce travel time, allow shorter check-ins during a work break, or let someone choose not to use a camera. Licensed professionals can adapt exercises and homework to the online setting and help people use therapy in practical, everyday ways.