Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Michael W. Gannon.
Hi Dr. Michael, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I was a young man, recently moved from LA, where I grew up, to Maui, HI, and applied for a job as the regional director of a school-based drug education and intervention program for at-risk youth. I didn’t think I would receive the job, because I only had a B.A. at the time and every other candidate had an M.A. But the final question of the interview was asked, “What sets you apart from the other applicants and why should we give you the job?” My answer kind of shocked them, but I said, confidently, “Because you can’t B.S. a B.S.’er?” That answer opened the door for me to work with thousands of young people in 8 area middle and high schools for over 8 years. I literally fell in love with helping people overcome life-controlling problems. The success of that program caught the attention of the mayor of Maui. We worked together collaboratively on developing Maui County-wide programs to help the at-risk. Mayor Lingle would eventually be elected governor of HI and we would partner on federal problems, benefiting the whole of Hawaii. I would go on to become a senior chaplain for the Maui Police Department and provide crisis counseling, eventually being trained by the FBI as a hostage negotiator for another 8 years. I moved to Louisville, KY, and became clinically licensed in counseling and completed my M.A. and Ph.D. in biblical counseling with Trinity Theological Seminary. I was fortunate to do my 5-year-long clinical practicum at Interlink Counseling Services, which offered the Veterans Administration inpatient and outpatient treatment services. I worked for others in various counseling settings until my wife, Michelle Gallina-Gannon, M.A., LPCC, started TalkDr Christian Counseling, Inc. (TDCC), located at 1337 W. Main Street, Franklin, TN 37064. TDCC is a licensed mental health counseling center that provides outpatient treatment.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The hardest part of opening our practice was obtaining our Certificate of Occupancy from the City of Franklin. It took us over 3 years to finally open our doors to the public, because we had to do an extensive remodel to make our old 1940 rock home converted to an office space and match the ADA compliance of 2022. We faced so many obstacles, but we persevered and have helped hundreds of clients, since we finally opened our doors to the public, in December, 2024.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
The team at TalkDr Christian Counseling provides professional therapy services in downtown Franklin, TN. The counseling team is dedicated to helping you overcome emotional challenges and specializes in drug, alcohol, or sexual addictions; marriage and pre-marriage counseling; and child and family therapy. Our experienced therapists address root causes to support lasting recovery, and we are prepared to personalize your therapy to meet your needs.
Dr. Michael Walsh Gannon, PhD, L.C.A.D.C., B.C.P.C.C., has been named America’s top-rated counselors by America’s Who’s Who nine times and is one of the most trusted mental health professionals in the United States. He has over thirty years of experience as a counselor and has earned a doctoral degree in biblical counseling (Summa Cum laude) from the Trinity Theological Seminary.
Dr. Gannon is a Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LCADC) and has served as clinical or executive director for three non-profit organizations: City of Hope, Corner of Hope, and The Eternity Challenge. He is also a Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) and is able to work with you if you have violated a DOT drug and alcohol program regulation. Having served as the president of the Coalition for a Drug Free Lanai, Dr. Gannon has a deep passion to see others free from the abuse of alcohol or drugs. He also has experience as a:
In the state of Tennessee, Dr. Gannon is a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor with a Special Endorsement of a Level II License as a Qualified Clinical Supervisor (QCS). He is able to clinically supervise Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors licenses and any Level I Licensed Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor (ADAC).
As a former pastor, Dr. Gannon has had the privilege to minister to hundreds of couples over a thirty-year period and is a regular speaker at conferences that focus on marriage restoration and healing the wounded soul. He has been trained as a Prepare-Enrich Marriage Facilitator and by Marriage Ministry International (MMI) to help couples work through core issues to enable their marriages to thrive. Dr. Gannon is a Board Certified Professional Christian Counselor (BCPCC), a presidential member of the American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC), and is professionally credentialed by the International Board of Christian Counselors (IBCC). He and his wife, Michelle, host Marriage Boot Camp Weekend Retreats in Franklin, Tennessee.
Dr. Gannon is skilled at handling difficult cases and is uniquely capable of working under stressful conditions. As a former FBI-Trained Hostage Negotiator, Dr. Gannon is certified by the Critical Incident Stress Management Foundation and has experience as a former Maui Police Department Senior Chaplain and Certified Red Cross Emergency First Responder.
Dr. Gannon is co-writer of two books: Breaking the Rejection Code and The Christian Shadow Work Journal with his wife Michelle Gannon, and creates online self-help videos on topics such as Dealing with Rejection, Father Wounds, and other serious topics on TalkDr.TV. An avid golfer and skier, he and his wife live in Franklin, Tennessee, and have three wonderfully-gifted daughters.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
I have always believed in finding mentors who are already where you eventually hope to be. I have been able to find individuals who are more accomplished, smarter, and have a heart to help others find their way. Because of that, I am constantly mentoring younger treatment professionals and counseling interns. I have supervised dozens of them throughout my career, as I appreciate the concept of “Paying It Forward” and “Giving Back.”
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.talkdrchristiancounseling.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaelwgannon/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/talkdrcc
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-michael-walsh-gannon-phd-lcadc-89796629/
- Twitter: https://x.com/michaelwgannon
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLE2BAEnlmylJb1qNvQHE4JxPLUAjAh756
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/talkdr-christian-counseling-franklin
