Michael VanderWaal, LCSW, LMSW

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with over 8 years of experience supporting individuals navigating trauma, grief, burnout, and major life transitions. My work bridges depth oriented psychotherapy, ketamine-assisted psychotherapy, and nature-based retreat experiences, alongside advisory work at the intersection of mental health, technology, and organizational wellbeing.

  • Founder & Lead Clinician

    In person services in Ann Arbor, MI and telehealth across licensed states.

  • Co-Founder - Beyond Retreats

    Design and facilitation of nature immersed therapeutic retreats for individuals and groups, including ketamine assisted psychotherapy intensives.

    Website: https://beyondretreats.org

    Retreat Guru Teacher Profile: https://retreat.guru

    Co-Founder | Caring Practitioners Circle

    A developing platform and peer network for therapists and caring practitioners focused on sustainability, collaboration, and professional longevity.

    Platform: https://caringpractitionerscircle.com

    Director of People | NOLA AI

    Organizational leadership at an applied AI company, supporting culture, people systems, and ethical human centered development.

    Team Page: https://www.nola.ai

  • Public Speaking

    • Intelligent Connection: Exploring the Future of Therapy and AI @ New Orleans AI Conference (NOAI)

    Event Page: https://noai.org

    Academic & Community Education

    Guest Lecturer, Andrews University School of Social Work

    • Topic: Psychedelics and Addiction in Contemporary Practice

    Podcasts & Interviews

    Life’s a TRIP with Michael VanderWaal, LMSW

    • Hooky Wellness Podcast

      Apple Podcasts link

    Religion, Death, and Defenses

    No Therapist Left Behind

    ListenNotes link

  • Master of Social Work (MSW)

    University of Michigan

    Certificate in Psychedelic Therapies and Research

    California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS)

    MDMA Assisted Therapy Training (Parts A–D)

    Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS)

    Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy Training

    Polaris Insight Center

    Journey Clinical

    Trauma Focused Hypnotherapy Training

    HD Counseling

  • Psychology Today Verified Provider

    Psychedelic Support Network

    Journey Clinical Therapist Network

    CIIS CPTR Alumni Network

Links

  • Geometric pattern of interconnected circles forming a flower-like design inside a larger circle.

    Caring Practitioners Circle

    Co-Founder

    A growing platform and peer network for therapists and caring practitioners to connect with eachother and prospective clients.

    Website
  • Black and white icon of a Möbius strip shape.

    Nola AI

    Director of People

    Director of People at an applied AI company focused on ethical, human-centered systems.

    Website
  • A stylized illustration of a crescent moon and stars over dark purple mountains, with a gold border around the circle.

    Beyond Retreats

    Co-Founder

    Nature-based therapeutic retreats and ketamine-assisted intensives.

    Website
  • A man giving a presentation at the New Orleans Jazz Museum with a podium, a large screen displaying a diagram, and musical instruments on stage.

    NoAI

    Conference Speaker

    Intelligent Connection: Exploring the Future of Therapy and AI.

    Description
  • Logo for 'The Hoky Podcast' with a green and yellow circular background and a small flag with the letter H.

    Hooky Wellness Podcast

    Interview with Erayna Sargent

    Life’s a TRIP with Michael VanderWaal, LMSW (2020)

    Listen
  • Promotional graphic for a therapy session with ChiiWoo Choi, LPC, featuring a photo of ChiiWoo Choi in a forest setting with pastel blue and green background, and stylized text saying "No Therapist Left Behind."

    No Therapist Left Behind

    Podcast

    Interview with Chiwoo Choi: “Religion, Death, and Defenses with Michael VanderWaal”

    Listen
  • Silhouette of a nude woman standing with arms outstretched inside a circular decorative frame with leaf and star patterns.

    MPR Podcast

    Podcast Host

    An interview with my grandpa about mortality, what it means to be a practitioner, and his life lessons along the way.

    Listen
  • Logo with the text 'moss & main' in bold black font inside a black square outline.

    Moss and Main KC

    Group Practice Bio

    Therapy Bio for Kansas City Private practice I’m a part of.

    Click Here
  • Text on a beige background reading 'Psychedelics & Addiction' in large black font.

    Psychedelics and Addiction

    Presenter

    Presentation for the Andrews University School of Social Work class, “Treatment of Substance Use Disorders.

    Presentation