Michael S. Oden, is the founder of "Final Step." Behavioral & Communication Expert, Keynote Speaker, Author, Personal & Corporate Action Coach and creator of "The Needs Based Method(R)" with a Masters in Counseling Psychology. In 2014 I published a book titled, "When Nobody's Home- Winner of the Eric Hoffer Award 2016 - Self-help," which discusses the impact of trauma and its impact on who we become as individuals. In the early stages of his professional career as a probation officer, Michael pursued an acting career that expanded 8 years with 18+ theatrical/film productions, commercials that have allowed him to display a powerful stage presence. Michael has been a SAG-AFTRA member since 1993. During that time, Michael also taught at the juvenile halls as a substitute teacher and the juvenile camps as a Deputy Probation Officer. Today, Michael is currently a Deputy Probation Officer II for the County of Los Angeles and a Behavioral Coach who has mentored over 10,000 individuals and worked with various support groups with behavioral issues for the past 20 years. Due to his extensive experience, Michael has developed a powerful methodology that he utilizes in his coaching practice called, "The Needs Based Method(R)." This approach gives awareness and understanding about the "whys" of an individual's behavior and how getting or not getting specific social/emotional "need(s)" met during childhood and present day can impact how a person navigates in their world; be it life diminishing or life fulfilling. The goal of The Needs Based Method(R) is to acknowledge the origins of the wanted or unwanted behavior, shift the belief about the behavior( if need be), and heal the belief so the individual can be empowered to change. This holistic approach has allowed Michael to enhance thousands of lives. Those who are willing to understand, listen, learn and apply will gain the best results. With this approach Michael has reached an 85% success rate in behavior shift. Michael's mission is to create a better you so you can have a better life! Getting the answer to 'the problem.' Pulling down your personal curtain, moving forward and doing something different. Being unafraid to take risks. And that's only the beginning. He will make sense of your life and you will embrace the 'new you' ... feeling relieved, fully confident, and filled with hope for a brighter future you deserve. Michael's mission is for all people to move forward in life with confidence, fully awake and living consciously in the moment. This will allow you to create the life and business you deserve.
About the Author: Michael S. Oden is a behavioral specialist/consultant/counselor, inspirational speaker, trainer and workshop facilitator. He is an expert drug and alcohol dependency coach who for the past 20 years has helped thousands of clients (adults and teens) who struggle with addiction, abuse, low self-esteem, poor performance or unhealthy relationships, turn their lives around. Michael developed "The Needs Based Method(R)" and is the founder of "Final Step", a behavior awareness program that focuses on getting to the core of the individuals needs and helping the client change those behaviors that are preventing life rewarding achievements. Michael believes that once a person has gained Emotional Wellness they will be able to move forward and make healthier decisions throughout their lives. His success rate with childhood trauma clients stems from his early years as a probation officer working with people from all walks of life who had turned to addiction in response to that trauma. As a teacher in the Juvenile camp Michael has helped hundreds of youth with drug and alcohol abuse problems linked to criminal behavior find alternative methods for fulfilling their needs. Michael's book "When Nobody's Home", winner of the 2016 Eric Hoffer award, is a straight forward, compelling nuts and bolts examination of the behaviors that lead to drug abuse, addictions, violence or emotional distress and his unique technique, that gives the individual an awareness and understanding as to how certain "needs" are being met by the destructive behaviors and how to change those behaviors from life diminishing to life fulfilling. Mr. Oden is the recipient of the IRWIN Award for Most Innovative Writer for the Needs Based Method(R) technique he developed. Michael has presented his successful Needs Based Method(R) technique to numerous organizations, schools and universities including USC, Cal State LA, Cal State Long Beach and Cal State Dominquez Hills, Men's Association for Addition Treatment, Clearview Treatment Program, Bridges to Recovery, New Jersey's Center for Mental Health, Amtrak, Del Amo Hospital, Haven House and the Department of Juvenile Services to name a few. He has been featured on several radio talk shows and received multiple awards of recognition from LA County Office of Education and LA County Department of Probation.