Psychology & Mental Health Blog | Dr. Michael Brustein, PsyD
Specializing in anxiety, depression relationships & self-image
Psychology & Mental Health Blog | Dr. Michael Brustein, PsyD
Specializing in anxiety, depression relationships & self-image
Therapy for Men: Why It Feels Different—and How Success Can Hide What Hurts
Why Therapy for Men Feels Different: When Success Masks Avoidance Men often come to therapy not in crisis, but in a quiet fog. They’re not falling apart—they’re functioning. Working. Providing. Succeeding. And yet, something’s off. The question isn’t always “What’s...
Finding Your Best NYC Psychologist or Psychotherapist: Does Theoretical Orientation Matter?
Finding the best psychologist or psychotherapist in New York City means navigating thousands of practitioners, insurance networks, and one crucial factor most people ignore: theoretical orientation. Does it matter whether your NYC psychologist or...
How High-Functioning Anxiety Masks Depression: What Every High-Achiever Needs to Know
Daniel looked successful by every measure. Corner office, six-figure salary, Instagram-worthy social life. But he hadn't slept properly in months. "I wake up at 3 AM with my heart racing," he told me, settling into the therapy chair with the same efficiency he...
What Happens When the Applause Fades
Imposter syndrome, mirroring, and the fluctuating experience of self-worthThe Collapse After PraiseAnn is used to performing well. Earlier in the week, she’d led a client presentation that landed beautifully—smart questions, warm feedback, a brief mention of her name...
Is My Psychotherapy Really Psychotherapy?
A quiet reckoning with what happens when the work stalls—and the performance begins. Over the years as a practitioner offering psychotherapy in NYC, I’ve noticed a recurring moment: a client says something polished—like “I’m a recovering perfectionist”—and we...
Your Next NYC Psychotherapist: In-Network or Out-of-Network?
In New York, finding a therapist can feel eerily similar to finding an apartment: overpriced, overbooked, and possibly located on the third floor of a brownstone with no elevator. You scroll through endless profiles with strings of letters after names—LCSW,...
The White Lotus Dharma: Thailand’s Six-Realm Soirée
Namaste, Samsara Sleuths The White Lotus Season 3 swaps coastal decadence for a spiritual pressure cooker in Thailand—a lush bardo where egos combust and karma comes due. This isn’t just a murder mystery; it’s a karmic flow chart. Each character drifts through...
The Jealous Gods Next Door
Why them? Why not me? The quiet whisper of envy grows into a gnawing hum as you work tirelessly, only to feel overshadowed by others' success. You’ve sacrificed, strived, and pushed—yet someone else seems to have it easier and better. Their success and...