Celebrity Therapist Barry Michels Details Personal Crisis and Spiritual Awakening

Psychotherapist Barry Michels, known for his work with Hollywood celebrities, has detailed a personal spiritual awakening that transformed his lifelong atheism into a belief in God. The experience, he recounts, occurred during a sleepless night of what he described as 'possession' following a serious health diagnosis.

Michels, who co-authored "The Tools" with fellow psychotherapist Phil Stutz, described his early life as one of regular prayer and communion with God. However, a significant incident in his childhood led him to abandon his faith, which he described as crushing his soul and sealing his atheism. He stated, "I wanted no part of him." This stance persisted throughout his adult life until the recent health crisis.

During a period of intense personal struggle, marked by a difficult diagnosis and what he perceived as a spiritual encounter, Michels experienced a profound shift. This transformative night, he wrote, led him to believe that proof of God's existence was undeniable. He described the experience as coming "face to face" with the divine.

The therapist's journey from staunch atheism to a belief in God offers a personal narrative that challenges his previously held convictions. His account suggests that profound personal crises can lead individuals to re-evaluate their deepest beliefs.

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Michels' upbringing was marked by a challenging relationship with his mother, which he has previously discussed. He noted that growing up, saying "no" to his mother was not in his vocabulary, indicating a difficult family dynamic. This background, he suggests, contributed to his tendency to withdraw and build emotional walls.

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Despite his personal struggles, Michels has continued his work as a psychotherapist, helping others navigate their own challenges. His experiences, both personal and professional, inform his perspective on mental and spiritual well-being.

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His wife, Susan, has also been public about her health journey, having been diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia in 2023. Michels has noted that actor Robin Williams also suffered from Lewy Body dementia, which his wife believes contributed to his suicide.

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