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"I participated in a six-week residential treatment program where I lived in an apartment with three other people. The experience was very powerful because you developed strong bonds and revealed more about yourself to people you knew only two weeks than to some lifelong friends. It was extremely supportive and affirming.
The trouble was in the transition back to the "world." Two of us drank within a week, and one tragically committed suicide. This was just a couple weeks after we felt we had a new lease on life and felt emboldened and ready to apply our new heightened self awareness and coping skills to our work and personal lives. It was just too drastic a transition for some of us. I did not know about LSA and Recovery Coaching then.
I worked with Michael Plahn and started over at a different treatment center. This time I am working with a LSA Coach and feel that I am setting myself up for greater success, and learning more about myself and how to improve my quality of life."
--Rob S. [Recovery Care Coaching client, Hinsdale IL]
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"Working with LSA, and Michael specifically, literally changed my life. I know that sounds overly dramatic, but it's the truth. He provided the ideas, tasks, challenge, and support to get me to step outside my comfort zone and attack the obstacles that I had placed in my own way. I would not be leading the happy, healthy life that I have now without him. He has helped me more than almost anyone else to reach this place in my life where I can finally live up to my true potential. I would recommend LifeSkills Authorities to anyone struggling with addiction or their families."
--"R" [Executive client from Chicago, IL; an attorney who struggled with addiction for years prior to working with LSA]
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"When I met Michael and began working with LSA, my disease had progressed to a point to where in my forties, I could not even walk up a flight of stairs without the aid of a railing. I was anxious about beginning the healing process and regain all I had lost, but I was scared to do it alone. Using Life Skills Authorities, I had a loving coach who helped me reach what at one time seemed hopeless to even try. And, to the surprise and delight of my loved ones, my recovery was achieved. Thank you LifeSkills Authorities for all you have done for me."
-S.S. [Coaching client, Chicago, IL]
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Two years ago, my husband was suffering from late stage, chronic alcoholism. To our friends and neighbors, things may have seemed okay. He still had a prestigious and high paying job, and we had the regular suburban trappings -- expensive house, nice cars, foreign travel, and the finest schools for our children. The reality was quite different. My husband had become a man I barely recognized, and our lives had reached a level of chaos that was simply unbearable. As a stay-at-home mom, I not only feared for my husband's life, but I was terrified of the potential consequences on my life and the lives of our children.
And then my husband began working with Michael. The positive changes were swift and dramatic, and nearly every aspect of our lives began to improve. Today, my husband has become a man that I would not have recognized a year and a half ago. I did not get my old husband back; rather, I now have a husband that is even better than the man I fell in love with and married. He is sober, kind, compassionate, and at peace with himself.
I attribute all of this to Michael. Although I have only met Michael a few times, it is clear to me that he possesses extraordinary abilities. I can't thank him enough for what he has done for me, my husband, and my family.
--LM [Wife of addicted individual, Hinsdale, IL]
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I have known Michael for over a year and a half, and I credit him with saving my career, my marriage, and my life.
The day I met Michael was one of the darkest of my life; my disease was in a critical stage, I had lost all hope, and I believed that recovery had become impossible for me. Although I have what some might consider to be an impressive education and career, I had completely lost the ability to manage my life, and I do not believe I could have continued to head down that path for even another day.
Since that day, Michael has been with me every step of the way, and the changes in my life have been remarkable. In addition to my sobriety, I have regained my confidence, dramatically improved my relationships with my wife, children and the rest of my family, improved my efficiency and health, and gained an energy and zest for life that I have not felt for many, many years. Most important, I feel a sense of acceptance, contentment and peace that I never would have believed possible just a short time ago. All of this is directly attributable to Michael's work with me. He has skills and abilities that I believe are unique. He is one of the most knowledgeable people I have ever met regarding addiction and recovery, but his understanding of counseling, coaching, nutrition, exercise and overall wellness are what really set him apart.
Michael is also one of the finest men I have ever met. His personal story is inspiring and made me feel immediately at ease around him. In a matter of hours, I found myself disclosing things to him that I would not have felt comfortable discussing with lifelong friends. His passion for his work and dedication to recovery gave me hope when I believed that everyone else had given up on me.
The finest testament to Michael's work with me may be my wife. She has told me that I did not regain my old life, but gained a new and different life that is far superior the the life I had been living, even before my disease took hold of me. In fact, she has seen such a dramatic improvement in me that she frequently becomes teary at the mere mention of Michael's name. I simply cannot say enough about Michael and the positive impact he has had on my life and the lives of my loved ones. I truly do not think I would be here today if it were not for Michael and the extraordinary and expert work he did with me. I owe him my life. --BC [Recovering alcoholic and Senior Partner at one of Chicago's largest and most prestigious law firms]
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As a therapist, I have continually been frustrated with the
treatment models which my patients have had available to them. I have known Michael for many years and
have been a part of understanding the need for a multi-faceted, integrated,
holistic approach to interventions, and sometimes more importantly the treatment
after the programs are over. Michael’s experience in the business world, the health care world, the
addiction world, as well as his sensitivity toward integrating all of these
domains together is key in understanding the individual’s success down the
road.
Before becoming a therapist, like Michael I was in the
business world. I understand the
pressures that these times can put on individuals as well as their
families.The shame, denial, and
overall lack of understanding involved in addictions are prevalent. Michael truly understands addictions
and the addicted individual. He
has helped guide many of my clients to a much healthier lifestyle through
mentoring, teaching, guidance, therapy, and life coaching.
As the Sports Psychologist at DePaul University, I used Michael
Plahn yearly to speak to young athletes about substance use. Over the years he has spoken to
thousands of athletes and without a doubt, I can say he had a great
impact. Michael was always the
first person they would call whenever they felt they had a problem.
Michael is a great and kind human being who understands and loves
people. His need to make a
difference is unparalleled with any other individual I have ever worked
with. He also deeply understands
the person's need to have healthy systems to incorporate into their clean and sober
living. His work with family,
life coaching, occupational training, nutrition, fitness, as well as his psychological
background, make him one of the most uniquely qualified caregivers to help
troubled individuals.
Over the years it has been my honor to watch Michael walk
the walk of addiction healing, instead of talking the talk.
--Dr. Morgan Wolin, PsyD
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