Michael Block, MSW, LCSW

Many of the people I work with come to therapy because they no longer want to feel confused by their own thoughts, emotions, or reactions. Together, we'll make sense of the patterns shaping your life, better understand what your emotions are communicating, and develop a more authentic, compassionate relationship with yourself. I believe emotions aren't problems to eliminate—they're valuable sources of information that can help guide meaningful change.

My approach is active, collaborative, and challenging with kindness. I'll ask questions, connect patterns across your experiences, and gently challenge beliefs that may no longer be serving you—all while creating a space where humor, honesty, and curiosity make it safe to explore even the most difficult emotions. Whether you're new to therapy or returning after previous experiences, we'll move at a pace that feels right for you, helping you build greater self-understanding, emotional flexibility, and lasting change.

Many couples come to therapy feeling disconnected, frustrated, or caught in the same arguments without finding real resolution. While conflict often centers around topics like communication, parenting, intimacy, or daily responsibilities, the deeper struggle is often feeling unheard, misunderstood, or unable to express vulnerable emotions and unmet needs. Together, we'll move beyond the surface of recurring disagreements to better understand the emotional experiences driving them and rebuild a stronger sense of connection.

My approach is active, collaborative, and relationship-focused. I often help partners translate what they're trying to communicate so each person feels more accurately heard and understood, while identifying the patterns that keep them stuck in cycles of disconnection. My focus is never on choosing sides—it's on strengthening the relationship itself. By creating emotional safety, encouraging honest conversations, and helping couples approach challenges as teammates rather than opponents, we can build healthier communication, deeper trust, and a more meaningful connection.

The teenage years can be challenging for both teens and their families. Many of the adolescents I work with feel misunderstood, overwhelmed, or unsure how to express what they're experiencing. While these struggles may show up as withdrawal, conflict, avoidance, or emotional outbursts, they're often rooted in a desire to feel understood, supported, and emotionally safe. Together, we'll work to better understand what's beneath those patterns while building the confidence and skills needed to communicate more openly and navigate life's challenges.

My approach is active, collaborative, and grounded in genuine connection. I strive to create a space where teens feel respected, heard, and engaged—not like they're sitting across from "just another adult." Sessions often include humor, honest conversations, and thoughtful challenges that encourage growth while honoring each teen's unique experience. As therapy progresses, I also work alongside parents to navigate difficult conversations, strengthen emotional connection, and respond to challenges in ways that encourage future communication rather than withdrawal.

Families can become stuck in patterns where everyone is reacting to one another but no one feels truly understood. Whether you're navigating parent-teen conflict, strained relationships with adult children, or ongoing family tension, therapy offers an opportunity to slow down, better understand one another's experiences, and strengthen the relationships that matter most. Together, we'll explore the communication patterns, underlying emotions, and unresolved hurts that keep families feeling disconnected and work toward creating healthier ways of relating to one another.

My approach is active, collaborative, and focused on the family system as a whole. I often help families identify recurring patterns, translate each person's experience so it can be more clearly understood, and guide conversations in ways that encourage connection rather than escalation. When emotions run high, I'll help slow the conversation, interrupt familiar cycles, and create opportunities for family members to respond differently in the moment. My goal is to help families move beyond simply resolving conflict and toward building relationships grounded in understanding, trust, and lasting emotional connection.