Michael Maher, CMHC
Everybody struggles. Everybody. This is one of the most important life lessons that I have learned. Many people look around and believe that others do not struggle in life. They internalize this and then think there is something wrong with them. Realizing the struggles life brings to everyone drew me into a career providing Counseling and Therapy. Working through my own personal struggles helped me to develop compassion for those currently facing challenges in their lives. I am inspired to be in a profession that can assist others to regain hope and resolve life struggles and symptomatic patterns. It is enlightening to realize that, often, the most painful or difficult challenges can reveal the greatest opportunities for growth, peace, satisfaction, moments of joy and wisdom.
Prior to entering the Mental Health Field, I had years of experience in managing patients from diverse backgrounds addressing their complex medical, emotional and social concerns.
One of my professors described the field of counseling as one in which a client “allows you to walk with them in their sacred space”. To me, there is no greater honor or responsibility than to be invited to that “walk”.
Client Focus
Age: Adolescents (age 14-19) through elder hood (over 65)
Credentials:
Currently enrolled in a Master’s in Arts program in
Clinical Counseling at Northwestern University in Evanston IL.
anticipated graduation 09/2020.
Education:
Fairfield University, Fairfield, CT: B.S, in Biology with minor in Chemistry and a concentration in Latin American/Caribbean Studies (1985)
University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington VT: M.D. (1989)
Brown University, Providence RI: medical internship, residency, chief residency and fellowship in nephrology. (1989-1995)
Northwestern University, Evanston IL: MA in Counseling (anticipated graduation September, 2020).
Specific areas of Interest:
Anxiety and Worry
Depression
Trauma Recovery
Substance and Behavioral Addictions
LGBTQIA Issues
Trauma Recovery
Depression
Anxiety
Self Esteem Issues
The Connection Between Mental Health and Spirituality
Sexual Abuse
Spiritual Abuse
Treatment Approach:
After finding out what my client’s goals for therapy, I develop a treatment plan that may incorporate many different theoretical approaches, in which I am trained in. (An “Eclectic” Approach). I believe this brings maximum flexibility and the ability to tailor treatment more specifically to the client’s problems, needs, culture and personality. Some of the approaches I commonly work with would include:
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Emotionally Focused Therapy
Experiential Therapy
Mindfulness Based Therapy (MBCT)
Narrative Therapy
Person Centered
Solution Focused
Schema Cognitive Therapy
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Modality:
Individuals
Couples/relationships
Group Therapy
Tele-therapy
Outside Interests/Hobbies:
Art (painting, photography), Music (piano) hiking, travel, creative writing