About Dr. Michael Jacobs
Dr. Michael Jacobs is the Clinical Director and Senior Clinical Psychologist at Performance Institute for Cognitive and Behavioral Therapies in NYC. He has over 15 years of experience working with clients in different capacities who have mental health challenges. Prior to becoming a psychologist, Michael worked as a vocal coach, a voice teacher, and has a decade of experience as a professional musical theater performer.
Michael is also involved in research and training projects. In 2010, Michael began training therapists across the country in CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) for psychosis and Group and Family-Based CBT for the prevention of paranoia. The mental health needs of performing artists holds a special place in Michael's heart. Through research, he adapted an acceptance and commitment therapy protocol to treat audition anxiety in professional musical theater performers (ACT for Actors). He continues his work in both research and training at Mount Sinai Medical School.
As a therapist, Michael has developed a caring, honest, creative and direct style that helps him to better connect to his clients. That connection allows him to help people meet their individual goals. He treats a range of mental health issues utilizing CBT and ACT. He believes that the practice of psychology involves both art and science; the implementation of therapy is art that should be informed by scientific research.
In addition to training other mental health professionals and medical professionals, Michael provides mental health awareness training to performing arts educators through workshops and presentations. These workshops allow teachers to recognize the mental health challenges of their students, adapt more effective teaching styles and collaborate with mental health professionals to provide better training for students.
Michael holds a BFA from Ithaca College as well as a PhD in clinical psychology. He is a member of AEA (Actor’s Equity Association), and APA (American Psychological Association). He lives in the NYC metro area.
Michael is also involved in research and training projects. In 2010, Michael began training therapists across the country in CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) for psychosis and Group and Family-Based CBT for the prevention of paranoia. The mental health needs of performing artists holds a special place in Michael's heart. Through research, he adapted an acceptance and commitment therapy protocol to treat audition anxiety in professional musical theater performers (ACT for Actors). He continues his work in both research and training at Mount Sinai Medical School.
As a therapist, Michael has developed a caring, honest, creative and direct style that helps him to better connect to his clients. That connection allows him to help people meet their individual goals. He treats a range of mental health issues utilizing CBT and ACT. He believes that the practice of psychology involves both art and science; the implementation of therapy is art that should be informed by scientific research.
In addition to training other mental health professionals and medical professionals, Michael provides mental health awareness training to performing arts educators through workshops and presentations. These workshops allow teachers to recognize the mental health challenges of their students, adapt more effective teaching styles and collaborate with mental health professionals to provide better training for students.
Michael holds a BFA from Ithaca College as well as a PhD in clinical psychology. He is a member of AEA (Actor’s Equity Association), and APA (American Psychological Association). He lives in the NYC metro area.