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Despite his successful career in behavioral healthcare, this is not where Stephen Pfleiderer’s story begins. Initially pursuing a career as a classically trained musician, he earned an undergraduate degree from the prestigious Johns Hopkins University and a graduate degree from the University of Cincinnati. At first glance, it appeared that he had it all – he was a principal clarinetist and enjoyed a vibrant and fulfilling personal life. Only those closest to him knew that, beneath the surface, he had turned to alcohol, drugs, and partying as a means to cope with the challenges of music school.

Stephen’s critical turning point came shortly after his 21st birthday when his best friend along with his mother conducted an intervention that helped him understand the disastrous consequences that remaining on his current path would lead and ignited his determination to leave the self-destructive behaviors behind. 

After completing graduate school, Stephen recognized the profound impact that his time in addiction recovery had on his life and the passion it ignited within him to assist others in their recovery from substance use and mental health disorders. This newfound purpose led him to a deep exploration of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) under the guidance of Dr. David Burns, renowned author of “Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy” and the creator of TEAM Therapy, an advanced form of CBT.

Stephen’s commitment to excellence is evident in his achievement as the first Interventionist to attain Level 3 certification as a TEAM therapist. Additionally, he has received certifications from the founders of ARISE Intervention, Systemic Family Intervention, and the California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals. His dedication to professional growth is further demonstrated through his memberships in the Network of Independent Interventionists and the Association of Intervention Specialists.

Today, Stephen is a Stanford trained and board-registered interventionist and social impact entrepreneur, who boasts a well-established track record of success in behavioral healthcare. As co-founder of Online Interventions and Aligned Living, he is a driving force behind technology-enabled solutions that empower individuals through transformative conversations, curated education, and evidence-based support.