On episode 7 of Behind the Mind, Max Guttman joins the show to share his experiences with schizophrenia and details the adversity he overcame to live a happy, healthy and productive life. He also shines light on the common misconceptions about schizophrenia and the manner in which the disorder can be treated. This was one of the most inspirational stories I have ever heard, and I can't thank Max enough for his bravery and willingness to help me reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness. 

Now 33, Max Guttman is the owner of Recovery Now in New York. He provides psychotherapy, complex case management, community consultation, and self-management skill-building groups. His approach is based on evidenced-based practices (EBP). 

Max earned a master’s degree in Social Work from Binghamton University. He is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and a field instructor for both postgraduate and undergraduate students at Lehman College. He is also a social work supervisor and psychotherapist at Courtland Avenue Clinic in the South Bronx where he teaches students social work praxis in New York City. In addition to these responsibilities, he manages Mental Health Affairs, a mental health blog. Currently, Max teaches clinical social work, diagnosis and assessment at Fordham University. 

He has also published two novellas under the pen name J. Peters, both of which are heavily based on his own experiences with mental illness. You can learn more about this book series on Facebook at @PetersNovellas.

As always, I hope you enjoyed this episode. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental illness, please help me reduce stigma and raise awareness by sharing this podcast. Feel free to subscribe, rate and review on any of the podcast platforms. This episode is now available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher and Shout Engine. It will be uploaded to SoundCloud as well soon.