ABOUT DR. SANDERS

Michael grew up in Ohio and Alabama where as a teenager he was active in sports. He graduated from Maryville College with a major in Philosophy and a minor in Sign Language Interpreting for the Deaf. Michael has worked continuously with deaf children and adults throughout his career. He received the PhD in Psychology from the University of Tennessee and is a licensed Clinical and School Psychologist in the state of Tennessee (Lic. # P1043). Dr. Sanders did his clinical psychology internship at the University of Louisville Medical School/Bingham Child Guidance Clinic and his school psychology internship with the Knoxville City Schools.

Dr. Sanders has maintained a private practice in Child and Family Clinical and Forensic Psychology since 1984 with offices in Knoxville and Sevierville, Tennessee. During more than 30 years of practice, he has provided individual psychotherapy to children, adolescents and their families. Dr. Sanders has served as clinical consultant to schools, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, attorneys and court systems. Believing that schools are second only to parents in the important role they play in children’s lives, he continues to work closely with several school systems helping them to identify and meet the emotional needs of their students.

Dr. Sanders specializes in helping families cope with separation and divorce. In addition to conducting Parenting/Visitation Evaluations (sometimes called Child Custody Evaluations) for the Court, he is a Rule 31 Listed Family Mediator approved by the Tennessee Supreme Court to help parents resolve conflicts and develop an appropriate Parenting Plan.

Michael met his “better half” in high school and they enjoyed raising two daughters who are now successful adults. They have one grandchild. Dr. Sanders and his wife enjoy maintaining their century-old home, flower gardening, exercise, and travel. He is active in several professional organizations including being past president of the Appalachian Psychoanalytic Society.