Michael is very familiar with anxiety having overcome the disorder himself earlier in his life. This led him to earn a master’s degree in clinical psychology from Benedictine University, in Illinois. He completed intensive training at Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Hospital’s Center for Anxiety and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders, where he used Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Exposure Response Prevention (ERP) techniques, among other therapeutic approaches, to yield superior outcomes with anxiety and OCD. This includes an individualized plan to reduce OCD behaviors in as little as 12 weeks.
Depression can result from a combination of biological, psychological, and social factors severe enough to impact day-to-day activities, such as work, school, social events, or relationships with others. Regardless of its origins, depressive symptoms can cause intense mental pain. Michael also uses CBT and other proven strategies to address the sadness, loss of interest, low energy, and other symptoms that can make you feel miserable most of the day, nearly every day.
Michael also works closely with couples, addressing the dynamics between partners that can lead to the misconceptions and assumptions that negatively impact their relationship. Whether consciously or unconsciously, Michael helps couples dispel the expectations that:
It’s Michael’s belief that life’s challenges can be overcome—and success achieved—through a personalized approach to counseling. Michael treats each individual as a person with unique needs and desires. This includes providing them with care and compassion to mend the brokenness they may feel.