About

Michael Mackenzie PhD, RCC

For over 20 years, I’ve supported individuals navigating the emotional and practical challenges of illness, injury, and complex health conditions. Since 2003, I’ve provided therapy in community, clinical, and research settings—working with individuals, families, and groups. My approach is personalized and evidence-based, grounded in clinical training, behavioural science, and a commitment to respectful, meaningful care.

I’m a Registered Clinical Counsellor with the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors and a professional member of the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association.

Prior to returning to full-time clinical practice in British Columbia, I spent nearly a decade as a professor of Health Behavior Science at the University of Delaware. In this role I served as:

  • Academic Director of UD’s Graduate programs in Health Coaching

  • Research Director of the Mind Body Behavior Laboratory

My work has always focused on the intersection of psychology, health, and lived experience—how people respond to illness, adapt to medical realities, and regain a sense of direction when their lives are disrupted by health challenges. I’ve worked in community, clinical, and research settings in both Canada and the U.S. to support those living with a wide range of medical and health-related challenges.

I hold a PhD in Health and Exercise Psychology and an MSc in Counselling Psychology, both from the University of Calgary. Additionally, I completed a post-doctoral fellowship in Exercise Psychology at the University of Illinois and received extensive training in Health Coaching during my academic tenure at the University of Delaware.

My research focuses on developing community-based health behaviour change programs for individuals living with health challenges. This work has been published in peer-reviewed journals including the Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, Evidence-based Complementary & Alternative Medicine, Journal of Women’s Health, Frontiers of Human Neuroscience, Consciousness & Cognition, and Stress & Health among others (you can learn more on my Research page).

In addition to my clinical work and research, I’ve taught and supervised in the areas of counselling, health behaviour change, and mindfulness-based interventions. This combination of academic, clinical, and coaching experience allows me to offer support that is both theoretically grounded and practically usable—tailored to the real-life challenges people face when living with health conditions.

If you’d like to learn more or explore how we might work together, I welcome you to reach out for an initial consultation.