Michael McNulty, PhD, LCSW, LICSW - Biography
Michael McNulty has over thirty years experience in counseling and psychotherapy. He has extensive training in psychoanalytically informed psychotherapy. In his work with couples, he blends this background with contemporary evidenced based approaches, such as The Gottman Method of Relationship Therapy. His clients, students and colleagues often characterize his style as humanistic and collaborative. He has extensive experience in working with emotional trauma, neurodiversity, and affair recovery. He has a broad background in international training.
Expertise in Intensive Couples Therapy
Dr. McNulty is among a limited number of clinicians personally trained by Drs. John and Julie Gottman in intensive couples therapy. He was chosen to participate in a Gottman outcome study centering on this approach. Since 2018, Dr. McNulty has successfully completed weekend intensive sessions with over 120 couples. For more information about intensive couples therapy with Dr. McNulty, click here.
Additional Credentials
- Certified in Gottman Relationship Therapy (since 2005)
- Advanced Clinical Trainer and Senior Faculty for The Gottman Institute (since 2007)
- Regularly leads the highly acclaimed Gottman's "The Art & Science of Love: A Weekend Workshop for Couples" in various cities including Chicago and Oakland since 2007
- Trained in and practices psychoanalytically informed psychotherapy, emphasizing empathy, connection, and secure attachment
- Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) trained
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) trained
- Trained in Collaborative Couples Therapy
- Experienced in working with neurodiverse couples
- Trained in Discernment Counseling
Published Works
- Published articles and book chapters on topics such as neurodiversity, affair recovery, and the impact of uncertainty during COVID-19 and the LA Fires
Teaching and Presentations
- Regularly presents on neurodiversity and The Gottman Method of Relationship Therapy at The Gottman Institute and other groups
- Instructed courses and workshops on Couples Therapy, International Intervention, Trauma and Attachment Theory, Psychopathology, and The Gottman Method at various institutions
- Developed online and in-person for credit courses on The Gottman Method for master's programs
Institutions
- The Chicago School of Professional Psychology
- Institute for Clinical Social Work
- The Crown Family School of Social Work at the University of Chicago
- Concordia University - Irvine
- Huntington University
Multicultural Experience
Dr. McNulty intervened in the aftermath of the Boxing Day Tsunami (2004) in Batticaloa, Sri Lanka, and returned 21 times to teach lay counselors about trauma counseling. He received 5 Fulbright Senior Specialist grants to support this work. He works with couples from diverse backgrounds and is sensitive and respectful of cultural beliefs, spirituality, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, and gender identity.
Academic Background
- PhD - Emphasis in Psychoanalytically Informed Psychotherapy - Institute for Clinical Social Work - Chicago, IL
- MSW - Emphasis on Health and Mental Health and Psychotherapy - The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC
- Advanced Standing - Completed BA/MSW in 5 years
- BA - The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC
- Cum Laude
