Providers

Michael earned his BA (1988) in Psychology and his clinical MSW (1991) at UW-Milwaukee. He completed advanced training in substance use treatment through St. Martin’s College and Seminary (Milwaukee). He is licensed as a clinical social worker (LCSW), marriage and family therapist (LMFT), clinical substance abuse counselor (CSAC) and independent clinical supervisor (ICS). He is a member of the Academy of Certified Social Workers (ACSW).

Michael’s clinical experiences have been diverse. During graduate school, he was a research assistant with Project MATCH, which was the first large scale national research project exploring substance abuse treatment, provider matching, and treatment outcomes. Michael provided assistance to families impacted after three airline disasters, assistance to families impacted immediately after the 9/11 Twin Tower attacks, and worked in Germany with US soldiers and their families. He has provided SUD/BH treatment at all levels including in jail/prison, detox, inpatient, residential/CBRF, day treatment and IOP, and outpatient programs, but found his home when he started working in community health centers.

Michael’s treatment philosophy embraces the idea that treatment is about understanding the underlying reasons behind behaviors (having empathy), emphasizes the crucial role of reducing shame in the healing process, and recognizes that each client’s path to transformation is unique, requiring a blend of patience and adaptability.

When he’s not here, Michael is spending time with his wife and son and family and friends, experimenting in the kitchen with a new recipe, or just sitting overlooking a lake, river, or ocean reading a really good fiction book.