Mikhel A. Kushner, JD, MSW, LMSW
She/They
About Mikhel
Mikhel brings a unique and diverse background to her role as a psychotherapist at Restorative Strategies. With an MSW earned in 1998 and a JD obtained in 2008, Mikhel’s career has spanned community health education, higher education, legal compliance, and now psychotherapy. This rich professional history informs her holistic approach to mental health care.
Specializing in working with women and FTM, Mikhel is particularly attuned to the needs of emerging adults and young professionals, as well as the LGBTQ+ community and those exploring queer themes in their life stories. She is also a strong ally to BIPOC individuals. Mikhel takes a feminist and intersectional approach to identity exploration and experiences with marginalization and oppression. Mikhel’s areas of expertise include stress management, family/partner conflict, institutional betrayal, career/life transitions, trauma, PTSD/C-PTSD, and narcissistic abuse recovery. Her approach is trauma-informed and holistic, incorporating client-centered, strengths-based, solution-focused, mindfulness, and cognitive behavioral strategies tailored to each client’s needs.
Professional Experience
Mikhel’s diverse professional background enriches her therapeutic practice. Her experience in higher education legal compliance, specifically Title IX, student conduct, and workplace discrimination investigations, provides a unique perspective on institutional dynamics and their impact on mental health. Mikhel has also worked extensively in social justice, and advocacy roles, informing her approach to therapy with a strong emphasis on empowerment.
Outside the Office
Mikhel’s passion for holistic wellbeing extends beyond her professional life. She enjoys vegan cooking, hiking with her dogs, gardening, yoga, and kayaking. Mikhel consistently turns to nature to find balance. Her experiences living in the Caribbean and taking solo cross-country road trips with her rescue dogs reflect her adventurous spirit and openness to new experiences.
Areas of Expertise
Anxiety and Depression
PTSD/C-PTSD
Family/Partner Conflict
Institutional Betrayal
Career and Life Transitions
LGBTQ+ Issues / Queer Identity
Therapeutic Approaches
Trauma-Informed Holistic Approach
Client-Centered Therapy
Strengths-Based Therapy
Solution-Focused Therapy
Mindfulness-Based Techniques
Cognitive Behavioral Strategies
Client Focus
Adults (18-60 years old)
Women and FTM
Queer community
BIPOC-allied
Education and Certifications
Juris Doctor (JD), University of Baltimore School of Law
Master of Social Work (MSW), University of Maryland School of Social Work
Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW)
Certified Workplace Investigator (AWI-CH)
Certified Title IX Coordinator and Investigator (ATIXA)
Certified Yoga Teacher – 200 hour training (CYT-200)
Insurance Accepted
Blue Cross Blue Shield
Cigna
Schedule an Appointment
Ready to start your journey with Mikhel? Contact us to to inquire about Mikhel’s waitlist or learn more about our services