William Margraf, LCSW

William Margraf is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who helps people facing depression, relationship stress, low self-esteem, and questions about identity and belonging. He also supports people coping with life changes and offers a space to talk about LGBT concerns. He writes and speaks about LGBTQ+ matters and brings those perspectives into his practice.

William works in a collaborative, strengths-focused way. He looks for what is already working in a person's life and builds on it. Conversations often address everyday thoughts and habits, practical choices, and ways to make small changes that add up over time.

His background includes a Master of Social Work from The Catholic University of America and a Master of Divinity from Yale University. He also holds a Bachelor of Arts from Villanova University. William brings years of experience working with communities and individuals, and he draws on a lifetime of personal and professional influences, including Franciscan spirituality.

Sessions aim to be exploratory and practical. William helps people notice patterns, try new responses, and reflect on what gives life meaning. He frames change as gradual and collaborative, with the client steering the process and the therapist offering guidance and feedback.

Over a decade of clinical practice informs his approach, and he has written and spoken publicly on topics such as Franciscan spirituality, anti-racism, and LGBTQ+ issues. He practices in New York and conducts sessions in English.

How evidence-based approaches guide online work

William's profile notes he uses evidence-based therapeutic techniques, which typically include approaches that focus on thoughts and everyday habits and those that build on personal strengths. For example, a thoughts-focused approach helps people notice unhelpful thinking patterns and try different ways of responding to them, which can reduce distress and improve daily functioning. A strengths-based approach helps people identify what they already do well and then use those abilities to solve problems and handle change.

Finding the right approach is part of therapy. William collaborates with each person to match techniques to their needs, goals, and preferences. He will help you decide what to try first and adjust methods as you learn what works best together.

If you prefer online work, check the available session options before booking since formats are not specified in the original profile. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life, cut travel time, and allow for shorter check-ins when needed. They can also make scheduling around work or caregiving demands simpler, helping therapy feel more practical and sustainable.