Mike Dalisay

Mike Dalisay is a Master's-level trainee in Marriage and Family Therapy at National University, currently completing his practicum at Heartstrings Counseling. With a distinguished 20-year career in law enforcement, Mike served in specialized units including SWAT, detectives, and the Bomb Squad, where he honed expertise in high-stakes crisis intervention, de-escalation, and team coordination. He advanced through the ranks to Lieutenant, demonstrating leadership in complex operations and peer support programs, including facilitating critical incident stress debriefs and wellness initiatives for first responders.

Mike’s transition to counseling is informed by his personal journey of resilience, having overcome significant challenges such as addiction recovery, occupational physical injuries requiring multiple surgeries, and trauma resulting from numerous critical incidents during his law enforcement career. These experiences have deepened his empathy and commitment to supporting individuals through trauma, life transitions, and relational difficulties.

Pursuing a Master of Arts in Counseling with a specialization in Marriage and Family Therapy, Mike integrates systemic and strengths-based approaches to amplify clients' existing resources, fostering rapid and meaningful change. He is passionate about promoting secure family bonds, cultural sensitivity – drawing from his own multicultural background – and empowering clients in areas such as anxiety management, communication enhancement, and emotional healing.

Mike takes advantage of unscheduled time with martial arts training, mountain biking, and water sports. He and his wife both maintain full-time employment while raising their four young children. He recognizes the importance of intentionality and resilience in navigating the demands of family life, ensuring they remain purposeful and adaptable in his parenting responsibilities. Mike aims to create a safe, collaborative environment where clients can explore their strengths and achieve greater relational and personal well-being through resilience. His guiding principles are encapsulated in the phrase: “Iron sharpens iron; lead by example; empower through action.”