I work from the presumption that your marriage and family can and will be saved. I believe this with all of my heart, in part because the alternative is unacceptable. I started in this field as a Divorce and Custody mediator. But while doing this work, I often felt helpless. During sessions I found myself asking, "how did it come to this?" How can members of even a large family feel LONELY in their home? How did people who obviously cared about each other at one point, transform into nothing more than, "business partners, or roommates." How could members of a family unit harbor such anger, and disappointment, which sometimes resulted in treating each other so poorly. I knew I was doing good work, helping divorcing couples remain, "civil," toward each other for, "the sake of the children." But, I also believed that there had to be a better way to help families, beyond simply, "picking up the pieces."

After leaving my Family Mediation practice, I served as a Lead Clinician with one of the top Psychiatric Hospitals in the world. I was privileged to work with couples and families in crisis. I found this work to be not only extremely rewarding, but challenging as well. I worked in the, "eye of the storm," and I only had a VERY short time to help families make IMMEDIATE changes with how they react to each other. This is how I came to appreciate the principals of, "Solution Focused, or brief Therapy."

It became apparent to me that if families could be helped to make significant positive changes within the context of one or two crisis sessions, working with couples and families on a more structured basis would provide me with the opportunity to help client couples and families, "remake," their entire family lives into the, "oasis," that they deserve.

Working with couples and families is a calling for me, and I couldn’t imagine doing anything else. I truly look forward to working with you!

ABOUT THE THERAPIST

Michael E. Edelstein, holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology from the University of Pittsburgh, as well as a Post-Bachelor Certificate in Accounting. He also holds an Master’s Degree in Counseling from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Mr. Edelstein completed his graduate school internship in Family Therapy at Turtle Creek Valley MH/MR. Additional credentials include Certification in Marriage Education (CME), and Certificates held both in: Divorce and Custody Mediation (Family Mediation), and CISM (both Group and Individual Critical Incident Stress Management).  Professional and Honorary Societies into which Michael has been initiated include: Chi Sigma Iota, Honorary Academic and Professional Counseling Society, and Phi Kappa Phi, Honorary Academic Society.

"Of all of the trainings, and classes that I have been excited to attend, I truly believe that the most valuable experience that I can attribute to my development as a professional Family Counselor is by far my 17 years of marriage to my beautiful wife Dawn, and  my 13 years of fatherhood with my awesome son Max."