Mali Austriyak Mikhli, LCSW-R

Mali Austriyak Mikhli is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker - Referred (LCSW-R) with four decades of experience in social work. She began this work after seeing how much a thoughtful, empathic therapist can change someones life. Mali aims to offer steady support and clear psychotherapy for people facing hard moments.

Her style is warm, interactive, and respectful. Sessions focus on listening closely, naming patterns, and finding small practical steps to feel better. She combines cognitive-behavioral ideas with client-centered and emotionally focused ways of working to meet each person where they are.

Mali has worked with people across many ages, cultures, religions, and lifestyles. Her practice has addressed trauma, PTSD, bereavement, and disruptions from early childhood, along with stress, anxiety, depression, relationship and family concerns. She also helps with parenting strain, career decisions, and coping with life changes.

She uses straightforward tools and conversations so people can notice progress between sessions. That can mean practicing new ways of thinking, trying mindfulness exercises, or telling and reframing difficult personal stories. Mali encourages practical coaching when a clear plan will help someone move forward.

People who choose Mali often want a therapist who listens deeply and works collaboratively. She supports clients as they take steps toward greater stability, stronger relationships, and clearer goals. If someone is ready to begin, Mali will help them find a path that fits their life.

How Mali's Approaches Work Online

Client-Centered Therapy focuses on understanding the person's experience through active listening and empathy. It helps people feel heard and safe to talk about difficult topics and to set their own goals. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at how thoughts, feelings, and behaviors interact and uses practical exercises to change unhelpful patterns; it is often useful for anxiety, depression, and stress. Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) helps people notice and respond to strong emotions in clearer ways, which can improve relationships and emotional regulation.

Choosing the right approach is part of the work. Mali will discuss goals, preferences, and what has or hasnt helped in the past, and then collaborate on a plan that fits the clients needs. That plan can mix methods so a client gets both practical tools and deeper emotional processing.

Online therapy offers flexibility for different schedules and needs. Video calls allow face-to-face conversation and visual cues. Phone sessions can be easier when video is not possible and live chat or text-based messaging can support quick check-ins, shorter coaching moments, or ongoing reminders between sessions. These options help make regular contact more workable for people balancing busy lives.