Michael E Whalen

Michael enjoys being a part of people's healing and growth. He sees it as an honor, privilege and joy to have worked with hundreds of people who are on the path of life enhancement and well being. We all start from here and go to there; that means we are all on the same path.

He grew up in Pennsylvania near Philadelphia. He graduated from the University of Scranton, B.S. Psychology. From there he traveled across the country to Oregon, living in Portland and Eugene for several years. Finally, he came to Pinellas county where he has lived for almost 30 years.

Michael holds a Master of Arts in Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling from USF. He is licensed by the state of Florida as a Mental Health Counselor (mh5835).

Michael's career includes 21 years of service in non-profit Community Mental Health. He worked 9 years with people with persistent mental illness and substance abuse;  6 1/2  years in Intensive Family Services working with children and their families in their homes; 5 1/2 years counseling elders, caregivers and family, also in their home. He has extensive private practice experience with individuals, couples and groups.

Additionally, he has developed and presented many training programs, workshops and keynotes on subjects ranging from Mindfulness in the Workplace to the Art of the Start for Difficult Conversations, to 7 Keys to Self-Empowerment - Character Building, to Myth and Story in Elderhood.

A published author, Michael has love of learning and maintains continuing education levels consistently above the 40 hour requirement for licensure.

For much of his life time, he has studied, practiced and traveled many paths of self improvement and therapeutic approaches. Mindfulness has been an important method for his growth for over 20 years. He is pleased to bring all these experiences to the counseling setting where they might be put to use to further health and wellbeing of mind, body and spirit.

Family and friends, continued inner exploration, nature, eco/social justice activism, photography, cycling, music and the arts, baseball and reading are among his many interests.

Michael welcomes each person warmly and provides easy, non-judgemental, but accountable space for exploration, healing and growth. He sees it as a tremendous privilege to contribute to this most important work.