Michael Schneider, Ph.D.

Clinical Psychologist

Licensed to Practice in Illinois and Missouri

Michael Schneider, Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist who is licensed to practice in Illinois and Missouri. He has 20 years of experience in different clinical settings in both urban and rural areas. He received his doctoral degree from the University of Missouri-St. Louis in 1987. He has worked with adolescents and parents a great deal during his career and has a special interest in effective and holistic stress management. Dr. Schneider believes that we all have the potential to live happier lives even though we sometimes needs outside help to help us get on the right track. He is dedicated to creating a partnership with each of his clients so that they may be assisted in realizing their true self and true potential.  (Back to top)

Who can receive services?

Dr. Schneider does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, creed, age, national origin, ancestry, pregnancy, marital status or parental status, sexual orientation, or disability. He has worked extensively with minority populations in his previous positions. Though his office is not handicapped accessible, Dr. Schneider is quite willing to make alternative arrangements to see clients with physical handicaps who cannot reach his office.  (Back to top)

What does it cost?

Many of Dr. Schneider’s clients utilize their insurance to help pay for his services. He is on a number of insurance panels. Check with your insurance provider to find out if he is an in-network or out-of-network provider and to see if psychological services are a covered benefit. His fee schedule is as follows:

Dr. Schneider helps his clients deal with a variety of personal, family, marital and life issues. He recognizes that life does not take a "time out" so that we can figure out how to feel better. Examples of personal issues can include stress, anxiety, depression, relationship issues, urges to self-harm, anger management, identity and sexual issues. Other issues can involve family conflicts, traumatic experiences such as sexual assault and accidents, financial stresses and stresses from legal issues. Other related concerns might be stress management, difficulty with motivation, concentration problems, conflicts with co-workers, associates and neighbors, among others.  (Back to top)

In very simple terms, you might benefit from counseling if you are not happy with the way your life is going and nothing you try seems to make it better. Counseling is a means of figuring out how to take more effective control of your life. Asking for counseling does not mean you are "crazy". In fact, knowing that you would be better off if you tried something different is an excellent indicator of healthy thinking. Dr. William Glasser has said that insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. The bottom line: if you want to feel better, consider giving counseling a chance. You are free to quit at any time if it does not help you move closer to your goals.  (Back to top)

Absolutely! Psychotherapy is a service intended to assist you in whatever manner is helpful and appropriate. Dr. Schneider recognizes that asking for help may feel strange or disconcerting at first and that it is sometimes helpful to bring along a friend for support. In fact, small group counseling with you and several friends is an option you might want to consider.  (Back to top)

No. Medications can be prescribed only by licensed physicians and psychiatrists. Dr. Schneider maintains a list of psychiatrists in the Quincy area and can facilitate a referral if necessary.  (Back to top)

While the "medical model" is the dominant model in modern mental health treatment the truth is that there are almost always a variety of alternatives to taking medication. Cognitive-behavioral therapy, which can be described as "talk therapy", has been shown to produce lasting changes in brain functioning. A variety of lifestyle, emotional or behavioral habits can be changed as part of the process of taking greater control over one’s own life and these have been shown to result in feeling better. Improving relationships with the most important people in your life is an especially effective means of helping you feel better. At the same time, medications can be used in conjunction with psychotherapy or counseling. Sometimes medications might be useful for getting through a particularly hard time in your life. Dr. Schneider is more than willing to work with people who are taking medication, or with individuals who would prefer not to rely on them for any number of reasons.  (Back to top)

Dr. Schneider recognizes the importance of specialized training and experience when working with certain problems. When a client requires a specialized treatment program or mental health specialist, Dr. Schneider can help facilitate a referral to a local provider or help the client identify a provider in the region that can better address their particular issue. Three examples: Great River Recovery Resources has licensed and credentialed professionals who provide substance abuse treatment. Quanada’s staff has specific expertise in counseling and advocating for individuals who have been sexually assaulted or been victims of domestic violence. Inpatient and residential treatment programs for severe or life-threatening eating disorders are available in St. Louis and elsewhere.  (Back to top)

Hospitalization for emotional or behavioral problems should be considered a "last ditch" effort to keep an individual safe. It is rare, though it can happen, for a client to need hospitalization and it occurs only when all other available options and resources have been considered. Screening for hospitalization is likely to occur following a suicidal gesture or attempt, but not necessarily after talking about thoughts of harming oneself. The vast majority of adults have thought about suicide at some point in their life and most of them did not require hospitalization. Counseling can often help you avoid a need for hospitalization, especially if you ask for assistance at an early stage.  (Back to top)

All of Dr. Schneider’s professional services are provided in a confidential manner that follows the regulations established by the Federal government’s Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), the Illinois Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Confidentiality Act, professional licensing regulations and the ethical code set forth by the American Psychological Association. Limits to confidentiality (e.g., child abuse and neglect must be reported, suicidal intent or intent to harm others requires notification of appropriate parties to prevent harm) are discussed with each client before counseling begins. Apart from identified exceptions, Dr. Schneider may not inform anyone of a client’s counseling or therapy services without that client’s written consent.  (Back to top)

Absolutely! Dr. Schneider is available for public speaking engagements to provide a variety of Wellness and educational programs. Examples of Wellness programs might be stress management, relaxation training, mindfulness and learning to meditate. Educational and skill building programs might focus on responding to parenting issues, abusive relationships, understanding and improving motivation, self-injury, eating disorders, depression and anger.  (Back to top)