Dr. Michael McArdle

Why I work in this field!

. .

• My work as a psychotherapist is not just a profession—it’s personal. It’s grounded in extensive lived life experience. ​ .
• I come to this field not only with training and qualifications, but with the deep understanding that comes from surviving a life shaped by trauma. I have lived through childhood neglect, emotional and physical abuse, poverty, and the kind of trauma that leaves lasting imprints on both body and mind. In my adult life, I faced addiction, domestic violence, coercive control, and the silent struggles that so often accompany them. ​ .
• These are not just words to me—they are chapters of my own story. And it is this lived life experience that has become the driving force behind the work I do today. ​ .
• I know what it feels like to be unheard, misunderstood, and judged. I also know what it takes to rebuild, to heal, and to find meaning on the other side of pain. My therapeutic approach is rooted in empathy, authenticity, and connection. I don’t just work from textbooks—I work from the heart, and from having walked the road myself. ​ .
• Lived life experience is not something that can be taught. It shapes how I listen, how I understand, and how I support those who sit across from me. It allows me to meet people exactly where they are—with no judgment, only respect for their courage. .
• I work in this field because I know change is possible. I’ve lived it. And I am deeply committed to helping others find hope, healing, and a renewed sense of self—just as I did.