Gabor Mate MD

Dr. Gabor Maté is a renowned physician, speaker, and bestselling author, internationally recognized for his groundbreaking work on addiction, trauma, stress, and child development. With over three decades of clinical experience, he has developed a unique and compassionate perspective on how deeply personal histories and early life experiences shape health and behavior.

Born in Budapest, Hungary in 1944, Maté immigrated to Canada with his family after surviving the hardships of World War II. He later pursued medicine at the University of British Columbia and went on to practice in family medicine, palliative care, and Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, an area known for its high rates of addiction and homelessness. His frontline experiences with patients struggling with substance use disorders gave him profound insights into the root causes of suffering, leading him to challenge conventional views of addiction as a choice or moral failing.

Maté has authored several influential books, including In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts: Close Encounters with Addiction, When the Body Says No: The Cost of Hidden Stress, Scattered Minds: The Origins and Healing of Attention Deficit Disorder, and Hold On to Your Kids (co-authored with Gordon Neufeld). His most recent book, The Myth of Normal: Trauma, Illness, and Healing in a Toxic Culture, explores how modern society contributes to widespread emotional and physical illness, offering pathways toward healing.

Beyond his books, Maté is a highly sought-after speaker who delivers lectures and workshops worldwide, blending medical knowledge with psychological and social insight. His work emphasizes empathy, connection, and the healing power of understanding one’s own story.

Through his teachings, Dr. Gabor Maté has become a leading voice in reframing addiction, mental health, and trauma, inspiring professionals and individuals alike to approach healing with compassion and humanity.