Michael J. Hurd
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 authored two books (Bad Therapy Good Therapy: And How to Tell the Difference; and Grow Up, America!); five booklets; and thousands of articles, as well as a self-help column, "Life's a Beach," published in Gannett newspapers since 2005.
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.
First session
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.
Strengths
I have 35+ years experience helping clients, have written 2 books, thousands of articles and hosted radio shows and podcasts. Let's get moving!
Ideal clients
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!
Treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
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.
Location
Virtual sessions