Michael Yapko, Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist and marriage and family therapist located in Solana Beach, California. He is internationally recognized for his work in depression and outcome-focused psychotherapy, routinely teaching to professional audiences all over the world. To date, he has been invited to present his ideas and methods to colleagues in 24 countries across six continents, and all over the United States. His clinical trainings are known for being practical as well as enjoyable.

Dr. Yapko has had a special interest which spans nearly a quarter century in the intricacies of brief therapy, the clinical applications of directive methods, and training therapists to treat the disorder of major depression. He is the author of numerous books, book chapters, and articles on the subjects of the brief therapy of depression and the use of strategic psychotherapies. These include Treating Depression With Hypnosis: Integrating Cognitive-Behavioral and Strategic Approaches; Psychological 911: Depression; Hand-Me-Down Blues: How to Stop Depression From Spreading in Families; Breaking the Patterns of Depression From Spreading in Families; Breaking the Patterns of Depression for Treating Depression. His works have been translated into seven languages.

Dr. Yapko is a member of the American Psychological Association, a clinical member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Clinical Hypnosis. Dr. Yapko was honored to be chosen to write the authoritative sections on "Treating Depression" and Brief Therapy" for the Encyclopedia Britannica Medical and Health Annuals.