About the President of
The Dreaming Tree Counseling Center

mike-skodaMichael J. Skoda, active President of The Dreaming Tree Counseling Center, is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor and Licensed Addictions Counselor specializing in individual, couples/marriage counseling, PTSD & Trauma counseling, Addictions, and family therapy. He maintains a private practice known as The Dreaming Tree Counseling Center, conveniently located in The Community Building in North Olmsted, Ohio just west of Cleveland, Ohio.

With over 10 years experience as an individual, couples, and marriage & family therapist and relationship coach, and as a graduate of The John Carroll University Master's Degree program in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, he has helped many folks become more grounded and rooted in safety, support, and healing at The Dreaming Tree. He is known as a caring, competent, and compassionate counseling professional who specializes in The Gottman-Method Couples/Marriage Therapy, Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) and Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EDMR). Counselor Skoda is currently serving as a private practitioner working with a broad spectrum of clients. Mike is honored to be serving clients in the Northeast Ohio area now since 2010. Mike also trains and provides consultation for therapists learning to further develop their knowledge and skills in individual, couples/marital and family counseling. Counselor Skoda also is a consultant on matters of addiction counseling and treatment; treatment of trauma and PTSD, and relationship counseling and coaching.

In addition to being a relationship therapist, Mike has presented at conferences and to general audiences speaking on the topics of Trauma, Couples/Marriage Counseling, Anger Management and Addiction. His therapeutic approach is to provide support, create a safe and welcoming place at The Dreaming Tree, and to provide practical feedback to help clients effectively address personal life challenges. He integrates complementary methodologies and techniques to offer a highly personalized approach tailored to each client. With compassion and understanding, he works with each individual to help them build on their strengths and attain the personal growth they are committed to accomplishing.

Outside of work, Mike is the father to one awesome son. Mike loves the outdoors; camping, hiking, kayaking, and listening to live music especially folk and jazz. Mike has traveled in and outside of the US all of his life and will jump at the chance to explore more of what the world is all about. Playing guitar, meditating, bowling and reading, camping, and kayaking are a few ways Mike likes to unwind. He also enjoys going to the gym and swimming to keep in shape.

Education:

Bachelor of Science in Psychology from The John Carroll University
Master-of-Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from The John Carroll University

License & Certification:

Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor with Supervisory Designation (LPCC-S) in the State of Ohio (E.1000455)
Licensed Independent Chemical Dependency Counselor (LICDC) in the State of Ohio (LICDC.141063)
National Board Certified Counselor, NBCC
Fully Qualified Substance Abuse Professional (SAP)

Advanced Specialized Trainings in spcieific models beyond graduate school. This is necessary as science of psychotherapy is rapidly changing:

The Gottman Method Couples Therapy

  • Level 1 Clinical Training: Gottman Method Couples Therapy: Bridging the Couple Chasm.
  • Level 2 Clinical Training: Gottman Method Couples Therapy: Assessment, Intervention, and Co-Morbidities.
  • Level 3 Clinical Training: Gottman Method Couples Therapy: Practicum Workshop.
  • Relational Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EDMR).
    • Back to the Future: An Upscaled Refresher Course in EMDR Therapy (Presented by Deany Laliotis).
    • The Craft of EMDR Therapy: Taking it to the Next Level (Presented by Deany Laliotis).

Memberships:

ASCH: American Society of Clinical Hypnosis https://www.asch.net
AAMFT: American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy https://aamft.org