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I’m committed to the art of living, and to living what the ancient philosophers called the good life. I believe we all have the capacity to live the good life, or a meaningful life. My goal as a therapist is to help individuals locate and cultivate their personal meaning.
Meaning can be found in both joy and suffering. I practice holding a perspective that allows me to accept and appreciate what is—all of it—without judgement. I’m learning to embrace what Ram Dass calls the horrible beauty—that is, the horror and beauty in all of life.
My work as a therapist consistently brings me face to face with undeniable pain and suffering. Equally undeniable is the absolute beauty that I’m witness to on a regular basis. To ignore the suffering is negligence, and to disregard the beauty is reckless.
Who I Serve
I serve youth in foster care, teens in the juvenile justice system, individuals in recovery, couples in crisis, families in distress, teens finding their way, identity crisis/spiritual emergency, Veterans, individuals in hospice, as well as those journeying with depression/sadness, suicidal ideation, anxiety/fear, grief, PTSD, and inner voices. I also work with creatives who feel stuck.
I’m particularly sensitive to individuals who have a history in the psychiatric/psychotherapy system, and who feel like they’ve been wronged. I’ll not defend “the system”; instead, I’ll help you articulate, explore, and move through your grievances.
My Style
Through my therapy experience, I’ve found that relationships are central to mental/holisitic health. Healthy social connections produce wholesome people and communities, while social disconnection is at the root of most suffering. We’re evolutionarily and neurologically wired to connect—to ourselves, to one another, and to our surroundings.
While I am neither healer nor savior, I am committed to helping individuals navigate their own healing journeys. Through the use of co-regulation, empathy, curiosity, deep listening, the “here and now”, mind-body awareness, flow, and spontaneity, I develop synergistic relationships with my clients. A positive therapeutic relationship is the basis for good outcomes.
And, as a bona fide community social worker, I take special interest in power dynamics and their impact on individual and community well-being. While I strongly believe in an individual’s capacity to overcome against all odds, I’m not blind to the harsh realities of systemic oppressions, and how the loss personal agency leads to inner turmoil.
Additional areas of focus:LGBT, Trauma and abuse, Grief, Intimacy-related issues, Sleeping disorders, Parenting issues, Anger management, Self esteem, Career difficulties, Bipolar disorder, Coping with life changes, Coaching, Compassion fatigue, ADHD, Abandonment, Adoption and Foster Care, Antisocial Personality, Attachment issues, Autism and Asperger Syndrome, Avoidant Personality, Blended Family Issues, Body image, Cancer, Caregiver issues and stress, Chronic pain illness and disability, Co-morbidity, Codependency, Communication problems, Control issues, Dependent Personality, Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD), Dissociation, Divorce and separation, Domestic Violence, Drug and Alcohol Addiction, Emptiness, Expats, Family of Origin Issues, Family Problems, Fatherhood Issues, First Responder Issues, Forgiveness, Guilt and shame, HIV / AIDS, Hoarding, Hospice and End of Life Counseling, Immigration Issues, Impulsivity, Infidelity, Isolation / loneliness, Jealousy, Life purpose, Men's issues, Midlife crisis, Military and Veterans Issues, Money and financial issues, Mood disorders , Multicultural Concerns, Narcissism, Obsessions, Compulsions, and OCD, Panic disorder and panic attacks, Paranoia, Personality Disorders, Phobias, Polyamory / Nonmonogamous Relationships, Post-traumatic stress, Pregnancy and childbirth, Prejudice and Discrimination, Process addiction (porn, exercise, gambling), Self-Harm, Self-love, Sex Addiction, Sexual Assault and Abuse, Sexual Dysfunction, Sexuality, Social anxiety and phobia, Somatization, Traumatic Brain Injury, Workplace issues, Young Adult Issues
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Michael Brennan. We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with BetterHelp might be different.
I find Michael Brennan to be a very caring therapist.
Written on Apr 07, 2024 after therapy with Michael for 2 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, lgbt, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, grief, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, anger management, career difficulties, bipolar disorder, coping with life changes, and adhd
Michael Brennan is the kind of therapist that you want in your corner. He listens, supports, encourages, and validates you like a friend and a kindred spirit. He makes you feel relaxed, confident , and comfortable about sharing your true thoughts, questions, struggles and experiences. You will never feel looked down on, pressured, judged or scolded by him. His therapy methods along with his kindness, honesty and positivity are very helpful, healing and motivating. I’m so thankful for his support and help navigating through the painful things in my past/present and the all big feelings that I’m experiencing.
Written on Feb 28, 2024 after therapy with Michael for 4 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, sleeping disorders, self esteem, and coping with life changes
Michael is a wonderful therapist
Written on Jan 15, 2024 after therapy with Michael for 3 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship issues, anger management, and career difficulties
Michael is excellent logistically and professionally. Responds quickly and thoughtfully outside of session, and provides relevant and thoughtful advice and guidance during session. He also has a seemingly endless memory of relevant papers, works, or quotes pertaining to psychology. Best therapist I’ve had.
Written on Jan 08, 2024 after therapy with Michael for 3 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship issues, intimacy-related issues, and self esteem
Michael is amazing!! He listens, he responds in a constructive but positive way. Im so glad my first counselor didn’t work out, everything happens got a reason!
Written on Jan 06, 2024 after therapy with Michael for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, self esteem, and career difficulties
Michael has an untraditional approach to therapy that leans into fluid, organic conversation versus a structured framework. While I always enjoy our sessions, I wondered recently if that approach would align with my therapy goals – 6 sessions in and everything came full circle to my original intention, with so much unexpected growth along the way!
I always feel heard and encouraged and always feel respected and uplifted from our sessions. I would recommend him to anyone, with the caveat of being open minded!
Written on Dec 23, 2023 after therapy with Michael for 2 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship issues, self esteem, anger management, and compassion fatigue
Best therapist I’ve ever had! He gives me new perspective and helps me to rethink the problems I have. I enjoy every session and am very thankful to have matched with him as my therapist!
Written on Nov 17, 2023 after therapy with Michael for 5 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, parenting issues, self esteem, anger management, and adhd
Michael is a considerate and “more human” therapist. Meaning, he doesn’t look at the clock, he doesn’t care to tell you some cliched advice, and he leads without judgment. He was incredibly good at listening and also providing deeper insight while also allowing space for me to lead the conversation and adapt throughout the conversation. I would highly recommend him if you appreciate a more tailored and realist approach. Thank you Michael!
Written on Oct 09, 2023 after therapy with Michael for 2 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, grief, sleeping disorders, parenting issues, self esteem, anger management, coping with life changes, compassion fatigue, and adhd
He's an incredibly insightful and kind person who's good at both listening and helping to guide you through your issues. He will help you pull out what you need to talk about, and then listen while you do so.
Written on Sep 22, 2023 after therapy with Michael for 5 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, intimacy-related issues, sleeping disorders, self esteem, and adhd
Michael is a great therapist, he is very understanding of a lot of issues and concerns in your life, he is humble and relatable, and I find myself digging deeper into my own feelings with the help of Michael.
Written on Aug 27, 2023 after therapy with Michael for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, intimacy-related issues, and self esteem
Great listener.
Open,
Toughtfull,
Has a great discernement of when to talk and when not to.
the whole discussion feels more and more adapted to myself,
and I feel like i have to do the heavy lifting, which makes me trust the process so much more,
thanks a lot!
Written on Jun 05, 2023 after therapy with Michael for 3 weeks on issues concerning addictions, relationship issues, grief, and coping with life changes
Extremely open minded and willing to take the time to listen and exploring different perspectives.
Written on May 02, 2023 after therapy with Michael for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, grief, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, anger management, and adhd
Love how when we first met, he set the tone and asked how I liked the conversations to go. Every meeting since went casually, smoothly, and most important to me, organically. Golden nuggets would just drop throughout the conversations because Michael is a great listener and would stop and ask questions
Written on Apr 19, 2023 after therapy with Michael for 2 weeks on issues concerning family conflicts, self esteem, and coaching
Michael Brennan is excellent therapist! He has always been very supportive and kind. Offers great advice and always is a willing ear to listen to me
Written on Mar 24, 2023 after therapy with Michael for 1 month on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, and coping with life changes
Michael is awesome and I always look forward to my sessions with him. Highly recommend him to others.
Written on Mar 20, 2023 after therapy with Michael for 2 months on issues concerning depression, addictions, relationship issues, and self esteem
Michael has been absolutely amazing. I never felt like his my therapist. I always felt like his my friend that I’m completely comfortable opening up with. I usually struggle on opening up with strangers, but he makes me feel comfortable in every conversation. He has an amazing skill of understanding every deep issue and finding a solution that can help me understand how I need to heal mentally. He takes his notes very seriously with everything I say to him and he connects the line to where it all came from. I am very grateful for him for helping me heal and have me feel like myself again. Thank you again Michael for being so patient with me especially during my pregnancy depression days. I know I can always go back and be comfortable to open up when I need you again.
Written on Mar 06, 2023 after therapy with Michael for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, self esteem, career difficulties, coping with life changes, and compassion fatigue
Michael was very helpful and insightful. He was straightforward and direct. I liked that and needed a push. He provided that and more to me.
Written on Jan 13, 2023 after therapy with Michael for 3 months on issues concerning depression, relationship issues, family conflicts, and anger management
If you’re on the journey to tap into your soul & do the work, Michael is the perfect therapist for you.
Written on Dec 25, 2022 after therapy with Michael for 3 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, self esteem, career difficulties, coping with life changes, compassion fatigue, and adhd
I really like Michael since our first meeting and it has been such an amazing and helpful experience for me. Every week I cant wait to have my meeting with him !!
Thank you Michael from the bottom of my heart !!
Written on Dec 21, 2022 after therapy with Michael for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, grief, intimacy-related issues, eating disorders, sleeping disorders, parenting issues, self esteem, anger management, career difficulties, coping with life
He's attentive and very helpful in allowing the conversation to just flow and move naturally.
Written on Nov 16, 2022 after therapy with Michael for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, anger management, bipolar disorder, and coping with life changes
Michael is very patient and grounded. He asks the questions to give the self reflection that is what I wanted in therapy. He is supportive and goes above and beyond to give the help many of us so badly need. I am thankful to be partnered with him and will stay committed to working on myself without feeling hopeless that no one understands because of him.
Written on Nov 12, 2022 after therapy with Michael for 2 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, grief, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, anger management, coping with life changes, compassion fatigue, and adhd
Michael was extremely helpful and made me feel comfortable in therapy.
Written on Sep 03, 2022 after therapy with Michael for 3 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, self esteem, and anger management
I’ve had but two sessions with this man and I’ve already had a great weight off my mind and soul it’s been the absolute best and most honest conversation I’ve had in so long that I cannot recall the last comparable to date and I would recommend this Dr to anyone who needed help of any kind a very versatile and professional man I’ve been made to challenge myself to complete honesty within myself and I cannot express the gratitude I have for being paired with this Dr that ends up more as teacher of yourself and a friend that lets you open up as you quickly get comfortable and confident in his skills Thank you is not enough but for a lack of the language required to show thanks that is all I can say
Written on Aug 18, 2022 after therapy with Michael for 1 week on issues concerning addictions, trauma and abuse, grief, self esteem, anger management, and adhd
Michael is extremely open and very understanding, very excited for our journey together
Written on Apr 29, 2022 after therapy with Michael for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, self esteem, anger management, bipolar disorder, coping with life changes, and adhd
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