October 2014: Michael Defalco, Psy.D.

Dr. Michael DeFalco is an exceptional alumnus of the Clinical Psychology PsyD program at Long Island University, C.W. Post. Dr. DeFalco received his Masters of Science in Applied Psychology at Post and then continued on to receive his PsyD in Clinical Psychology with a concentration in Serious and Persistent Mental Illness. Living on Long Island, he has found a niche for himself working with veterans and members of the United States Armed Forces, with a strong focus on trauma and PTSD. Previously, he founded the Military Wellness Program at Holliswood Hospital, an in-patient program for veterans with PTSD and other comorbid disorders. Dr. DeFalco currently works as Director of Military and Integrative Services for Bridge Back to Life Center, Inc., where he began working in 2013. Bridge Back to Life is a network of outpatient treatment centers for substance abuse in New York. He founded the ARCH (Accepting Recovery, Coming Home) Program at Bridge Back to Life, which provides integrated recovery services to military men, veterans, and their families. In addition, he co-founded the Military Resilience Project in 2013. This program creates and runs community wellness events and support services for our local military servicemen and veterans. They run periodic retreats and day-long events. They also brought together service members, veterans, fist responders, and community supporters in a day-long experience focused on recovery and remembrance of the 9/11 attacks, called the Ground Hero Program. Dr. DeFalco was also integral in creating the Vet Threads program, which provides free furniture to veterans moving into stable housing as well as free clothing for veterans in need. Dr. DeFalco also teaches at Adelphi University’s postgraduate certificate program in Trauma Studies and Treatment. He teaches four courses to the students, whose subjects range from the neurobiology of trauma to army culture and PTSD. And in all of his spare time, Dr. DeFalco has a private practice, where he practices individual, marital, and family therapy with adolescents and adults. Dr. Michael DeFalco is an extremely decorated member of the LIU Post community, and most definitely embodies our program’s mission of serving the underserved with his extensive work with military issues.