During the past twenty years, it has often been said that Michael Johnson works most effectively with urban populations and clients referred to as “resistant” or possessing a "low level of functioning". Johnson captivates audiences as he thoroughly explains lifestyles and thinking patterns of the criminal drug offender, and provides cognitive approaches to working with today’s addict.

Click here to see the Michael Johnson Workshops

Johnson is also founder of the JusticeQuade Institute and routinely facilitates workshops and in-service training on chemical dependency issues covering; early recovery, grief, acceptance, surrender, social skills, identifying the causes of relapse, cultural diversity, family issues and eliminating job stress. He has lectured at the college and university level as well as within the private sector. He is the recipient of the International Telly Award for his video “Evolution of Madness.”

Johnson, a certified addiction counselor and social worker, attended Wayne State University where he received his degree in 1988. He currently resides in Oak Park, Michigan.

PUBLICATIONS: CONTRIBUTIONS

• “Evolution of Madness: A training video which addresses the evolution of drug addiction and alcoholism over a 60 year period. Emphasis is placed on the stressors, character, value system and motives for treatment of our current client population.

• “Set Up For Relapse”: This video addresses the relapse dynamic of the addicted/offender, explaining the role of family and peer relationships in association with relapse.

• “Time To Think About Change”, New York State Department of Corrections: Drug Free Prison Demonstration Project.

Co-author of curriculum and program used by the NYSDOCS to reduce the use of mood altering chemicals in a prison environment, developed intervention strategies to motivate inmates for on going substance abuse treatment.

• “Twelve Step” Lecture Series: This series has a primary focus on the addiction and recovery dynamics of inner city alcoholics and drug addicts.

• “Pathway to Change”, this video is a cognitive approach to how most alcoholics and addicts lame other people or things for their emotions, feelings and beliefs.

• “Therapy Games”. This video provides the viewer with strategies to help them understand the value of therapy by explaining where they have been and how they got there.

• “Making the Right Choices”, this video provides successful strategies for transitioning back into the community.

• “Challenging the Lifestyle” This video addresses the payoffs for the lifestyle the viewer has been living, addressing drug addiction and criminal behavior.

• “The Re-Entry Trap” Addresses how the transition from confinement in prison to freedom on the street poses unique traps for prisoners with a history of substance abuse.

• “Assignment: Reentry” This video seems like a how-to guide for re-entry (and it is) but more than that it is a powerful therapeutic tool.

• “How You Got Here: Reflections of a Lost Childhood” Explores the deepest, darkest reasons why the viewer is incarcerated, why they have addiction and relationship problems. He exposes what he refers to as the "blind spot" in recovery – childhood issues.

WORK EXPERIENCE:

2001 – 2008 Founder of Metropolitan Counseling Center, Detroit, MI

1995 – Present Consultant/Trainer for state and federal agencies substance abuse criminal thinking, Residential Treatment Programs

1992 – 1997 Metro Recovery, Inc.

1987 - !992 Detroit Industrial Clinic/Michigan Health Center

1982 – 1987 Sacred Heart Rehabilitation Center

EDUCATION AND CREDENTIALS

1994 – Masters of Social Work, Wayne State University

1988 – Bachelors of Science - Counselor Education, Wayne State University

Certified Social Worker, State of Michigan – 6801062830

Michael is currently fulfilling his lifelong dream of writing a book on understanding the 12-Steps and Recovery.