Self Psychology Therapists in Montgomery, AL

Often, perfectionistic and high-striving individuals are both curious about therapy and ambivalent about seeking it. They may feel excited by the possibility of understanding themselves more deeply, while also unsettled by the idea of asking for help with one’s own mind. For people who are used to being competent, self-reliant, and in control, therapy can feel exposing at first. Michael helps clients understand this hesitation not as resistance, but as part of the work itself: the wish to grow alongside the fear of needing anything at all. Many clients become more comfortable once they see that therapy is not simply about “talking about feelings,” but about learning to observe the mind with more honesty and precision. Therapy becomes a disciplined space for reflection, which itself can be a powerful tool for developing emotional clarity, self-awareness, and greater freedom in how one responds to pressure, relationships, and oneself. Michael is also attentive to the ways thoughtful, high-striving people can use insight, analysis, mindfulness, or even spiritual ideas to move around painful emotional material rather than through it. When this pattern is noticed early, it can be addressed directly and compassionately, helping therapy remain grounded, emotionally honest, and clinically useful.

The focus of my practice is on assisting thoughtful, motivated individuals to deepen self-understanding, alleviate points of pain, and increase capacities for full and contented living.

My training (Yale University Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology; four-year postdoctoral Certificate in Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy) is broad and varied. I currently practice individual therapy and group therapy, both online. My approach to working with you will depend to a great degree on what you are seeking. Some people benefit from brief treatment; others seek and benefit from a deeper and longer exploration. I believe the combination of individual and group therapy can be particularly beneficial for many people. My work is guided as much by my own years of personal therapy and psychoanalysis as by my formal education.

Therapy can offer a space to better understand yourself and the experiences that have shaped you. I help adults make sense of trauma, neurodivergence, burnout, identity, and life transitions by understanding their experiences within the context of their relationships, environments, and the systems they have navigated. Together, we'll build practical skills, deepen self-understanding, and create meaningful, lasting change in a compassionate, collaborative space.

For an appointment call (251) 473-3410. Twelve licensed counselors, with offices in Mobile, Fairhope and Atmore, provide specialized treatment for individuals and families impacted by life problems, relationship stress, mental health issues, substance abuse problems, and abuse. We strive to help people in a safe, private, non-judgmental place to work through issues & ultimately find some peace and happiness in life. Our group includes experts in fields of sex therapy, grief counseling, addiction problems and LGBTQ needs.

Montgomery is Alabama's state capital and a city with profound civil rights significance — the birthplace of the bus boycott, home to the Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church, and site of the National Memorial for Peace and Justice — and this history creates a distinctive clinical context in which racial identity, community trauma, and intergenerational resilience are active themes. The city has a majority Black population and a state government workforce, generating therapy demand that spans from the particular stresses of public service careers to the cultural and emotional dimensions of living in a place where the history of racism is physically present. Baptist Health and Jackson Hospital provide institutional mental health resources alongside a private therapy community. Alabama State University and Faulkner University contribute to the local training ecosystem, and the city's strong faith community means spiritually integrated therapy is an important part of the local offering.

Gender ID

	50%	Male
	44%	Female
	6%	Non-Binary

Session Type

	62%	In Person and Online
	38%	Online Only

Top Specialties

88%	Depression
69%	Anxiety or Fears
63%	Social Anxiety
56%	Self Esteem
56%	Stress
50%	Relationship and Marriage Counseling
44%	Loss or Grief

Ages Served

100%	Adult
75%	Young Adult
56%	Senior
31%	Teen
6%	Children

Client Focus

25%	LGBTQ+
25%	Women
19%	Men
6%	Black / African American
6%	Military / Veterans

Self Psychology therapists in Montgomery, AL

Michael Brustein

Dr. Michael J. Lee

Linda Michlin Ludwig

Kourtney Bennett

Collins Counseling Associates