Michael Choate LMHC NCC
I am humbled to be able to work in a profession where I get to connect with so many individuals whom I can support in various ways. Since I was 18 years old, I've been working in human and behavioral health services in some capacity. While studying psychology at Stonehill College during my undergrad, I supported populations with developmental disabilities as a Residential Life Skills Instructor at Cardinal Cushing Community in Hanover, MA. From there, I had the opportunity to work along side individuals diagnosed with Autistic Spectrum Disorders in the classroom and residential settings at New England Center for Children(NECC) in Southborough, MA. I worked my way to academia, becoming an Academic Counselor at Bridgewater State University (BSU) while completing the Masters program in Counseling Education with a concentration of Mental Health Counseling as a graduate assistant. The program from which I graduated, met the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).
Since 2011, I have been providing outpatient Mental Health Counseling Services to various populations among the South Shore under Brockton Area Multi Service, Inc. (BAMSI) at Whitman Counseling Center. I've had the opportunity to support populations with specialized needs for more than 15 years, which increased my passion to become a licensed professional in the field of counseling to help those in need. I've had the privilege of working with many individuals who would benefit from therapy, but were not provided the services. Bringing support to those with cognitive and developmental disabilities has been extremely rewarding. I realize that many different populations are seeking counseling as times get tougher, especially since the pandemic. Providing an outlet for supporting others has become a valuable resource to help those I work with to balance mental and emotional health. To help achieve this, I believe growth in client self-awareness is a valuable tool, both in an individual sense and in their role to society. My theoretical orientation in counseling is primarily through the cognitive behavioral lens. However, I believe every client is unique and should be treated as such when working with them. Most importantly, I prioritize comfort, trust, and connection as these can be vital to establishing a healthy relationship with your therapist. It's the connection made with the people I work to support that makes this profession special to be a part of.
I strongly believe self-care and balance are necessities in life. In my off time, I am a father to a beautiful daughter, dog owner, and amateur photographer. I have recently been able to obtain the camera technology to provide a HD telehealth service to the clients I serve, but also the equipment can capture stunning photography & videography. In the warmer months, I'm typically out hiking or trying to enjoy the outdoors. Lately, I've enjoyed time trying to relax and continue to connect with family and friends in some capacity since the pandemic. I try to keep up with creative landscape photography and really enjoy capturing the beauty of nature year round.