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About Michael Herbert

Michael Herbert is an internationally recognized clinician in addiction treatment with over 30 years of experience working closely with individuals and their families. He has accumulated over 70 hours of intervention specific training and more than 125 hours of professional coaching education through the University of Miami. He is a seasoned interventionist and an accomplished expert in addiction counseling, self-help methods, aftercare programs, and the implementation of drug abuse prevention strategies. Michael is a national speaker on topics such as addiction in families, men’s issues in recovery, wealth, power, and fame in addiction. Michael is currently the owner of Recovery Guide LLC and interventionist, group facilitator, a certified structured family recovery counselor and provides family, recovery, sober and professional coaching services. Michael speaks from experience, as he has spent over three decades in his own personal recovery journey.

Michael has extended his work internationally; he has taught addiction counseling at Behman Hospital in Cairo, Egypt, worked as a consultant for the Cairo American College, the Maadi Psychological Center, and facilitated the establishment of prevention interventions in Cape Town South Africa. He has also developed and facilitated self-help groups in North Africa.

Domestically, Michael has developed programming for the New York Theological Seminary, The Children at Risk program, and the New York City Police Department Members Assistance Program (MAP). He was the program director of Inter-Care LTD in New York City and served as a consultant for Columbia Tri-Star television as well as the Dance Theatre of Harlem. Michael is a published writer and has been featured in both national and international magazines. Michael has also held the position as primary therapist and family therapist at Caron Renaissance and was also the original Clinical Director and developer of the Caron Ocean Drive Program for individuals of high net worth. Michael has also served as the Clinical Strategist for the Futures Recovery Healthcare Orenda program.

In his personal time, Michael enjoys an athletic lifestyle and at the age of 48, he became a marathon runner. He has run races across both the United States and North Africa. In 2012, Michael at 51 completed an ultra-marathon, running over 155 miles through the Sahara Desert. Michael has also taken on the challenge of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. He has served as a board member for the Runwell Foundation, is a Crossfit and Peloton enthusiast, and continues to seek out challenging adventures. Michael is also a veteran of the U.S. Navy.

Client Testimonials

“I first started working with Michael when I had finally (here’s hoping) made the decision and the attempt to stop drinking and using drugs. I had relapsed so many times over a short period that I had become quite hopeless- my great friend and sponsor had suggested that I try to go to a therapy center as well as attend meetings, so as to try almost fortify my defense against relapse. I wasn’t too convinced I don’t think, but I signed up for two sessions a week. I met Michael for one on one sessions and in a group session- I was just about three months of so clean and sober - my father had just passed away in Ireland, for my job at the time I was actually a bartender!!! To say I was hanging on by my fingernails would be an understatement. But with Michael’s great patience and understanding, his keen awareness and really an innate desire to see someone get well, I slowly built a life free of addiction. That I’m happy to say was 25 years ago this year, I remain an active member of my AA community- I’m forever grateful to Michael for his kindness and wisdom.”

Mark G. Father, husband, musician, writer, son and one of the fellows.

“Dealing with drug addiction is hard for a parent, very hard. It ‘s extremely easy to say something inadvertently that will cause an addict to resist seeking help; and in the midst of an intervention, frustration and anxieties can boil over, causing what is meant as an act of love to become confrontational. When this happens things can go downhill; and very fast. We were lucky enough to have Michael lead the intervention with our child. He has a very calm but persuasive manner and knows how to orchestrate family contributions to best effect. He also knows when and how to interject comment on consequences of continuing drug use. Without him, our child might not be in treatment today. Michael truly is a godsend.”

A Father of a 45-year-old

“As most of us learn over the course of our lives, the African proverb “It takes a village to raise a child” has numerous iterations. If you, or someone you love, is struggling with addiction, you would do well to have Michael Herbert in your “village!” Fortunately for our family, we have had Michael in our village for many years, though we’ve not felt the urgent need to call upon him for some time. But when that need arose several days ago — with no warning — he responded immediately.As every parent knows, the trauma of a sick child — whether 5, 15, or 45 — is intense. There is no time to make measured decisions, or even know what to do, or where to turn. Michael provides that knowledge. And his care and concern, his gentle guidance, and his years of experience with addiction begin to erase the anguish and pain almost immediately. ”

A Mother - Alanon member

“SFR has given me a broader, more circumspect understanding of addiction and recovery and the necessary tools required to achieve successful results. Under the careful and competent guidance of Michael Herbert through weekly meetings, our family has grown in knowledge, understanding and experience in approaching our recoveries. Week by week we are united in supporting each other, finding strength and encouragement to avoid unsuccessful behavioral and thought patterns. We each have grown as we become more committed to the SFR process. It would not be possible without Michael, whose two decades of experience in leading families through the battlefield of addiction to restorative places of peace and hope. ”

John C

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