Michael Waxman, M.S.W., R.S.W.

Registered Social Worker

Michael B. Waxman is a Registered Social Worker who received his Master’s Degree from Wurzweiler School of Social Work, Yeshiva University, and his Bachelors in Social Work at King’s University College at The University of Western Ontario. Michael focuses his practice on individuals in the LGBTQ2S+ Community of all genders. Michael also works with boys and men in all stages of life who are exploring their mental health. Michael has been in private practice for 12 years and in that time has worked with clients dealing with mental health challenges, anxiety, depression, ADHD, learning disabilities, life skills, and parenting issues.

Michael’s experience in counselling has taught him that a strong therapeutic relationship is key to providing good work for his clients. He strongly believes that the relationship must be built on trust and understanding, and he focuses on that in order to help his clients achieve success. Michael’s approach to counselling is one that borrows from several different modalities and is flexible depending on the client’s need at that time. Using elements from cognitive behavioural therapy, mindfulness, solution focused therapy, goal setting, and systems therapy, clients are able to choose the methods that work best for them so they can achieve their therapeutic goals.

In addition to Michael’s experience in private practice and counselling, Michael also has extensive experience in not-for-profit work having spent many years at Jewish Family and Child Service in Toronto. In his time there Michael worked as a School Social Worker, Intake/Crisis Intervention Worker, Family Life Educator, and instituted the organizations LGBTQ2S+ program which provides counselling, education, family support, and training. Michael is also currently a Family Service Manager at JF&CS and manages several social workers and program coordinators that reach all levels of the community. Michael is also an experienced camp professional having spent many years working on the Leadership Team at Camp Walden Canada. He has since transferred that experience into training and workshops for camps on the topics of mental health, LGBTQ2S+ issues within a camp setting, and supporting young staff. He often spends his summers offering consultation and crisis support to camps within Ontario and is recognized as a preferred vendor of the Ontario Camps Association. Over the years Michael has also provided training to public and private schools in the GTA, small businesses, synagogues and community organizations.

Michael is a staunch advocate for LGBTQ2S+ rights, sensible firearms legislation, and child and adolescent mental health. When Michael is not fighting for these issues, he can be found expanding his knowledge of film and television, cooking for friends and family, reading, and enjoying nature.