Michael Hickey, Ph.D. is a licensed psychologist and the founding Director of the Center for Psychological Evaluation and the Center for Treatment and Research of Obsessive-Compulsive & Related Disorders at Albert Ellis Institute (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 Combined Clinical and School Psychology at Hofstra University and completed a pre-doctoral internship and fellowship at AEI.
In addition, Dr. Hickey is a core faculty trainer 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 including evidence-based treatment 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 peer-reviewed journals including the International Journal of Cognitive Therapy and the American Journal of Psychotherapy. He has authored and co-authored several book chapters on topics such as REBT, anxiety disorders in children and adults, couples therapy, and clinical supervision. He is also on the editorial review board for the Journal of Rational-Emotive and Cognitive-Behavior Therapy.
Dr. Hickey has held memberships in the American Psychological Association (APA), the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT), the International Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Foundation (IOCDF), and the New York State Psychological Association. He has presented his research at annual conventions for APA, ABCT, and IOCDF. In the media, Dr. Hickey 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 held adjunct faculty positions at Instructor at Molloy University, Post University, Hofstra University, St. John’s University and is currently an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the School Psychology Graduate Program at Teachers College, Columbia University.