Licensed to practice in 5 states and accepts 32 insurances. Specializes in Anxiety, Coping Skills, Depression and 10 more.
(he/him)
I'm a psychotherapist with 35-plus years of experience. After completing training in clinical social work and psychology at the University of Maryland (M.S.W., 1988) and Saybrook Institute (Ph.D., 1991), I began practicing as a family, couples and individual therapist. I have hosted on radio/podcasts, have written two books and thousands of self-help articles in my "Life's a Beach" column for nationwide Gannett media. I love working with clients in the here-and-now, and finding solutions to move forward with life. My primary goal is to help you help yourself. I will guide and coach you, not tell you what to do. Diagnostic labels are useful at times, but you are not your labels. I'm your thinking partner: We'll reason and think our way to what makes sense together.
Therapy with me is solution-focused and goal-oriented. We spend time discussing your problems in the here-and-now, with reference to your background and your childhood only when relevant. Traditional, conventional therapy tends to be about what’s wrong, what are the symptoms and what can someone else do for you to relieve you? My approach, in contrast, tends to be about what you've done right (even sometimes), what your track record is, what are your strengths, what are your potentialities and how can you build on them. My goal is not to label you, but to lift you up.
I have 35+ years experience helping clients, have written 2 books, thousands of articles and hosted radio shows and podcasts. Let's get moving!
Staying sane in an increasingly crazy, stressful world. Quite a challenge! My vision of therapy is solution-focused, goal-oriented. My ideal clients seek a professional, trained thinking partner more than a "doctor" to "do something to" them. I am your thinking partner -- in your corner, always. We discuss your problems in the here-and-now, with reference to your background and your childhood only when you need it. We seek out your strengths; you have them, no matter what you believe. Together we target self-defeating behaviors, rather than focusing exclusively on psychopathology. I have 35+ years experience helping clients, have written 2 books, thousands of articles and hosted radio shows and podcasts. Let's get moving!
Cash - $95 per session
Aetna
Aetna - Allied Benefits
Aetna - ASR Health Benefits
Aetna - Lucent Health
Aetna - Luminare
Aetna - Medicare
Aetna - Moda
Aetna - WebTPA
Aetna – HealthEZ
Ambetter Health
Amerihealth Administrators
Amerihealth NJ Medicare Advantage
Anthem
Arlo
Blue Cross Blue Shield
CareFirst
Centivo
Cigna
Cigna - HealthEZ
EAP:Cigna
EAP:Evernorth
Evernorth
GTEB
Humana - Medicare
Humana Dual (Medicare & Medicaid)
Independence Administrators
Independence Blue Cross
Kaiser Permanente
Kaiser Permanente - Medicaid
Kaiser Permanente - Medicare
Medicare
Tufts Health/Cigna
I work with clients to identify and challenge/replace mistaken, faulty or self-defeating thinking with healthy, life-affirming and self-affirming thoughts, behaviors and ideas. These methods are practiced without lectures or dogma, and in a listening, healing, supportive atmosphere. Emphasis is placed on the development and growth of "emotional muscle," or self-esteem.
3 ratings with written reviews
April 26, 2026
Michael is great at meeting me where I am and helping me to connect aspiration with actions. He creates space for me to grow and reflect in important ways. I am very thankful.
March 23, 2026
Today was our first session, so I don't have a lot to go on, but I found Dr. Hurd easy to connect with. My sense is that he works to process what i said before replying. Since my concerns are inter-personal, I got the sense he's able to focus on my concerns, as distinguished from joint concerns.
March 17, 2026
Very affirming opening session. I look forward to continuing therapy with Dr. Hurd.