A Psychologist in Private Practice in Dallas, Texas, Dr. Michael R. LaValle earned his Ph.D. with honors from the University of Dallas in Irving, Texas, in 1986. Previously, Dr. Michael R. LaValle received his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Pre-Professional Studies from the University of Notre Dame in 1976. While enrolled in his doctoral studies, Dr. LaValle worked as a Psychiatric Assistant at Brookhaven (now Dedman) Memorial Medical Center in Carrollton, Texas, where he aided the adolescent psychiatric unit Psychologist and Social Worker with in-patient care. He then served for six years as a Counselor providing psychotherapy to children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families at Hope Cottage, a United Way affiliate. Dr. Michael R. LaValle acquired extensive experience in unplanned pregnancy and post-adoption-related matters during his tenure at this agency. After earning his doctorate, Dr. Michael R. LaValle was hired as the Program Director for the in-patient female adolescent unit at Terrell State Hospital, where he had volunteered as a Mental Health Technician 10 years before. He provided a full range of assessment and therapeutic services, developed treatment plans, and supervised interns. The hospital also chose Dr. Michael R. LaValle as its representative for a state task force involved with treating youths in Child Protective Services and for a Child and Adolescent Staffing Team. In 1989, Dr. Michael R. LaValle opened his own private practice in Dallas, Texas, where he currently treats a wide range of patients from children to adults, holds certification in hypnosis, and is trained in EMDR and DNMS, two therapeutic interventions for trauma and developmental deficits.