Michael Hickey, Ph.D. is the founding Director of the Center for Psychological Evaluation and the Center for Treatment and Research of Obsessive-Compulsive & Related Disorders at the Albert Ellis Institute (AEI). In addition, he is a licensed psychologist and coordinator/quality assurance person for Cogmed Working Memory Training at AEI. A graduate of Western New England University, Dr. Hickey earned his B.A. in Psychology, Summa Cum Laude, and received the University’s prestigious Alumni Award for graduating with the highest cumulative grade point average. He went on to earn his M.A. and Ph.D. in Clinical and School Psychology at Hofstra University and completed a pre-doctoral internship and fellowship at AEI.
In addition, Dr. Hickey is a certified supervisor for AEI and has trained numerous students and mental health professionals in the method and application of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT). He has conducted several public lectures and professional workshops on a variety of topics ranging from eating and body image issues to evidence based cognitive-behavioral treatment techniques for Anxiety Disorders, Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD), and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).
Dr. Hickey’s doctoral dissertation examined the role of disgust sensitivity as an understudied emotional component in BDD, and was one of the first to publish an empirical investigation on this topic. Additional clinical and research interests include the etiology and treatment of anxiety disorders, BDD, and other Obsessive-Compulsive Related Disorders. Dr. Hickey has published his work in the International Journal of Cognitive Therapy and was first author of a chapter in Cognitive and Rational-Emotive Behavior Therapy with Couples: Theory and Practice. He is also on the editorial review board for the Journal of Rational-Emotive and Cognitive-Behavior Therapy
A professional member of the American Psychological Association (APA), the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT), and the International Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Foundation (IOCDF). Dr. Hickey has presented his research at annual conventions for APA, ABCT, and IOCDF. He is also a member of APA’s Division of Psychotherapy (29) and Society for Psychological Study of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, & Transgender Issues (44). In the media, he has provided expert advice on overcoming social anxiety on New York City’s PIX 11 Morning News. In addition to his work at AEI, Dr. Hickey has over 10 years of experience in conducting intellectual evaluations of children for the Educational Records Bureau (ERB) and has been appointed Adjunct Assistant Professor at Hofstra University, St. John’s University, & Post University.