Michael Groat, PhD

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Michael Groat, PhD, serves as Interim CEO and Chief Clinical Officer at Lindner Center of Hope. He has strategic oversight of the day-to-day operations of the Center and remains responsible for the therapeutic program development of inpatient and residential services at Lindner Center of Hope.

He has supervisory authority over the clinical activity and continuum of care in residential services. He is also responsible for the development, measurement, analysis, and communication of outcomes that inform the culture of empathy, excellence, and continuous improvement at the Center.

He is also responsible for providing clinical leadership, fostering superior quality patient care, standardizing clinical protocols, developing clinical strategic goals, implementing outcomes assessment, program expansion, and contributing to the recruitment and retention of clinical staff.

Additionally, Dr. Groat engages in strategic marketing activities across the United States.

Dr. Groat has a 16-year career of leadership in nationally ranked hospital, residential, and outpatient treatment programs that provide evidence-based mental health and addiction services for adolescents and adults. He is the former CEO of CooperRiis, a 95-bed residential program located in Asheville, North Carolina, and was Chief Clinical Officer of Silver Hill Hospital, a 129-bed hospital with seven residential programs, three inpatient units, and an outpatient clinic. He also previously served as Director of Adult Services at the Menninger Clinic, overseeing its flagship professionals and executives’ program, subacute program, and outpatient clinic. Dr. Groat has launched successful programs, including the framework for a grateful patient donor program at the Menninger Clinic, an aftercare support service at Silver Hill Hospital, expansion of CooperRiis’ community integration program, and an assessment service at Silver Hill Hospital. He has consistently driven increased patient satisfaction and high staff morale and helped launch successful patient outcomes measurement at the Menninger Clinic and Silver Hill Hospital. Long accustomed to working with a diverse payor mix, Dr. Groat understands how to bring high touch concierge service to the most discriminating of families and referral sources. He has an extensive national network and is regularly invited to present to audiences throughout the US.

Dr. Groat completed a four-year postdoctoral fellowship in the treatment of treatment refractory personality disorders and other mental disorders at the Austen Riggs Center. He is Associate Clinical Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. He was previously the Chief Clinical Officer and Director of Psychology and Assessment at the Silver Hill Hospital, where he was also Associate Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at the Yale School of Medicine. While at Menninger, Dr. Groat was associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the Baylor College of Medicine. Dr. Groat has lectured widely on topics related to psychotherapeutic treatments, acute and intermediate levels of care, suicide prevention, personality assessment and recovery.

Education:

• B.A., History, summa cum laude, Gordon College
• MSc., College Student Personnel Services, Miami University
• Ph.D., Counseling Psychology, University at Albany, State University of NY
• Graduate Certificate in Non-Profit Executive Management, Rice University

Training:

• Internship, Albany Psychology Internship Consortium, Albany Medical College
• Post-Doctoral Fellowship: Psychotherapy, Assessment, Systems Consultation, Austen Riggs Center
• Mentalizing-Based Therapy: The Menninger Clinic

Honors and Awards:

• Research Fellow, Anna Freud Centre/Yale Child Study Center
• Fellow, American Psychoanalytic Association
• Pillar Award, The Menninger Clinic