Phone: 716-395-0092 or Email: michaelasthorley@gmail.com

Life can be hard. It is also often beautiful, complex, and full of possibility. As a licensed social worker, I work with people who want to engage more fully with their lives by developing the capacity to be present for both the joys and challenges that come with being human.  Therapy can be a space where you learn to meet yourself with more compassion, curiosity, and courage, opening up new ways of being in the world.

Before becoming a therapist, I spent six years working alongside people who were incarcerated and reentering their communities. That work taught me about resilience, the courage it takes to rebuild, and the importance of meeting people exactly where they are without judgment. I bring that same respect and belief in people’s capacity for growth to allmy work.

I’m particularly drawn to helping people through moments of transition, times when the old version of life or self no longer fits, but the new one hasn’t fully taken shape yet. These “death and rebirth” moments can feel disorienting and painful, but they’re also where real transformation happens. My approach is grounded in the belief that healing happens not only through insight and understanding, but through our relationship with our bodies and nervous systems. I am trained in EMDR and Progressive Counting, and draw from Internal Family Systems (IFS) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to support clients in processing trauma and creating meaningful change. 

I understand that individual struggles are often shaped by larger systems of oppression and marginalization. I bring an anti-racist, LGBTQ+ affirming, and justice-oriented lens to my work. Healing happens in context, and therapy should be a space where you don’t have to leave parts of yourself at the door. Whether you’re processing past wounds, navigating a major life change, or simply feeling stuck, I’m here to walk alongside you with warmth, curiosity, and care.

Insurances accepted (pending): Fidelis Healthcare, Univera Healthcare, Aetna & Private Pay.