Michael Branch, LCSW, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over a decade of experience specializing in trauma recovery, substance use treatment, and mental wellness for individuals, couples, and families. His clinical work is deeply informed by a 7.5-year career as a first responder—serving as a police officer, firefighter, and medic—followed by military service as a Navy SEAL and Special Operations Combat Medic. With a personal and professional understanding of the operational, emotional, and spiritual toll that service can take, Michael brings a culturally competent, trauma-informed approach to his work with veterans, active-duty service members, law enforcement officers, and other first responders. His firsthand experience allows him to create a therapeutic environment built on trust, mutual understanding, and mission-aligned healing. Clinically, Michael integrates a range of evidence-based modalities including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Prolonged Exposure (PE), and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). He also incorporates experiential, somatic, and spiritually integrated practices when appropriate, tailoring his approach to the individual needs and goals of each client. Beyond his clinical practice, he has served as adjunct faculty at the San Diego Regional Police Academy, where he taught courses on Substance Abuse, Post-Traumatic Stress, and Officer Wellness. He has also served for over nine years as a mentor in Veterans Treatment Court, providing guidance and advocacy for justice-involved veterans navigating recovery and reintegration. Committed to whole-person healing (biopsychosocialspiritual), Michael is passionate about empowering those who serve and protect to reclaim their identity, purpose, and strength. He is active in community outreach, professional education, and leadership efforts aimed at improving mental health support systems for first responders and military personnel. Outside of work, he enjoys physical training, time in nature, and quality time with his wife and family. He believes that healing is always possible, and that with the right support, no one has to walk their journey alone.