Michael Mahoney, PhD, LCPC, CADC

Locations Served

Illinois, Florida

I am a strengths-based therapist, counselor, and wellness coach (certified through Mayo Clinic). My chief aim is to optimize the mental health and wellness of each client. I have worked directly with hundreds of clients struggling with a wide range of mental health issues, including substance use disorders, depression, anxiety, trauma, and co-occurring disorders. I focus on strengths. Every individual has a unique set of strengths and abilities that can be used to improve his or her quality of life. Helping clients identify and develop these strengths is an essential part of my mission. In addition, I employ time-tested approaches to treatment, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing. I tailor these approaches to each client. We work together to address specific challenges, and achieve lasting change, by focusing on thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and their relationship to each other.

Regardless of the treatment approach used, research over the course of several decades has demonstrated that one factor stands out as the best predictor of success in therapy: the quality of the relationship between the therapist and the patient. The hallmarks of a healthy and effective therapeutic relationship are well understood and I pay close attention to each:

• Mutual trust and respect

• Agreement on the goals of the therapy

• Clear understanding of expectations and interventions

• Collaborative decision-making

• Willingness to discuss and correct difficulties that may arise during the course of the relationship

Background

Immediately prior to joining Telepsychhealth, I was the Director at the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation in Chicago. I was responsible for day-to day management of the site and supervision of staff, including clinical supervisors, therapists, counselors, and interns. I also worked closely with Dr. Bassi, the medical director at Hazelden and the founder of TelepsychHealth. During the Covid crisis, I oversaw the site’s emergency transition to virtual programming and immediately appreciated the benefit of providing care in this way.

Prior to my work with Hazelden, I spent several years with the Gateway Foundation in Chicago as a therapist, counselor, and clinical supervisor. Ultimately, I led the site’s residential program for women struggling with co-occurring disorders. Our program received the highest rating from the Illinois Center for Co-occurring Excellence, the first program to do so.

I hold a PhD in counseling from Governors State University. I earned a master’s degree in clinical psychology from Benedictine University. I am licensed as a clinical professional counselor in Illinois (LCPC) and certified as an alcohol and drug counselor (CADC). In addition to my work with clients in Illinois, I am an authorized telehealth provider for the state of Florida. For many years, before entering the mental health field, I was a practicing attorney. I hold a bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Notre Dame and a law degree from Loyola University of Chicago.