Michael Dautrich, LCSW

Michael Dautrich is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) practicing in Upstate New York. He completed graduate training in social work at Syracuse University and earned a second master’s degree in counseling from the State University of New York at Oswego, both awarded in 1992, and brings those academic foundations to his clinical work. He has built a career of 32 years delivering individual and group therapy across a range of settings, including 23 years with the New York State Office of Mental Health prior to his retirement from that role in 2015.

His practice addresses a wide spectrum of concerns such as stress and anxiety, addiction and substance use, trauma and abuse, relationship and family challenges, grief and loss, mood disorders including depression and bipolar disorder, attention difficulties related to ADHD, and issues around intimacy, parenting, and career stress. He also works with clients facing abandonment, attachment and communication problems, chronic illness and caregiver stress, codependency, and recovery from divorce and separation.

Clinically, he draws on client-centered methods, cognitive approaches, mindfulness-based techniques, and solution-focused strategies to tailor care to each person’s needs. He welcomes clients seeking collaborative, experienced guidance and is available to work with both domestic and international clients. Michael Dautrich holds professional licensure as an LCSW and brings decades of practical experience to his therapeutic work.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Support

Michael Dautrich uses client-centered therapy to create a supportive setting where the therapist follows the client’s lead, helping people explore their values, feelings, and goals in a nonjudgmental way - this approach is often helpful for relationship concerns, self-esteem issues, and life transitions. He also integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), a skills-focused method that examines how thoughts, feelings, and behaviors interact and teaches practical strategies for managing anxiety, depression, and addictive behaviors. Mindfulness-based techniques are woven into his work to help clients build present-moment awareness and coping skills for stress, trauma responses, and emotional regulation.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and he works collaboratively with each person to determine which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences. That collaboration helps tailor sessions so they feel relevant and effective for the individual.

Online therapy offers flexibility and accessibility, allowing clients to connect by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging. These options make it easier to fit therapy into busy schedules, support people who live at a distance, and provide continuity of care when in-person visits are not possible. Licensed professionals and therapists can adapt these formats to deliver structured, goal-oriented work and ongoing support across a range of concerns.