About me.

I'm Fred Muench—clinical psychologist, father, partner, community member, and someone who loved drugs way too much until they took me down. Now in recovery from heroin addiction, I help others find the strength to create balance and contentment in their lives. My focus is on helping people overcome substance use and engaging in behaviors more than they want to.

Therapy with me is not just about talking for 50 minutes and going back to life as usual. Our sessions are a springboard for the other 167 hours of the week. See my Approach.

The Professional Me

I recently stepped down as President of the Partnership to End Addiction, where I helped families support loved ones struggling with substance use. Before that, I led the Partnership for Drug-Free Kids and held teaching positions at NYU, Columbia, and the Feinstein Institute. My work has been funded by NIDA, NIAAA, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Google, Facebook, and Twilio. I am grateful to love my work (and work a little too much)!

I am the Founder two companies that offer free or low cost (eg $30 a year) services to families and individuals - Resily and Clear30. Here is a link to my publications.

The Personal Me

I grew up in Queens, NY—surrounded by older kids and drawn to sensation-seeking. My parents were loving but permissive, letting me drink and stay out late as long as I kept up my grades and held a job. From an early age, I wrestled with the contradiction of knowing drugs were “bad” while loving how they made me feel. They were lots of fun until they weren’t.

I medicated my feelings, seeking relief from discomfort. I couldn't live without them. Then I realized there were no magic pills, no quick fixes, no tricks. I always said, "Okay, okay, if I just..."—trying to find a shortcut. Shortcuts took me nowhere. Effort and connection saved me. I still work on my flawed self, one day at a time. It gets easier and easier, and the results add up, but there is no finish line except embracing acceptance of where I am in the moment and growth.

I played in a punk/hardcore band called Bad Trip and enjoy traveling and having fun. Now, I’m a partner and father of two incredible kids. My free time is spent with my connections, seeing live music, playing tennis, ultimate frisbee, snowboarding, surfing, and pretending to be a songwriter in my basement. While I don't take myself too seriously, I take your struggles and journey incredibly seriously. I can’t wait to meet you.