Michael Brustein, PsyD

Michael Brustein is a Clinical Psychologist in NYC with training from Harvard Medical School and Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology. He works with high-striving, curious professionals who struggle with anxiety, anger, OCD, and perfectionism. He also works extensively with executives, founders, and C-suite leaders navigating burnout, high-pressure decision making, leadership stress, and the emotional costs of sustained performance. His book, Perfectionism: A Guide for Mental Health Professionals, is one of the foundational textbooks for clinicians learning to manage perfectionistic clients. As an assistant professor at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Michael has taught psychotherapy techniques, abnormal psychology, and group therapy.

Michael's approach integrates CBT, mindfulness, and psychodynamic theory. His integrated approach helps clients increase their emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and capacity to navigate relationships. Michael teaches clients practical techniques to help reduce rumination and emotional reactivity.

Michael also has extensive training in psychodynamic theory to help clients facilitate self-discovery and exploration. Through empathic listening, Michael creates a safe environment where clients feel comfortable reflecting on and gaining insight into their relationship patterns and the underlying causes of problematic emotional responses. He also integrates bibliotherapy and cinema into his therapeutic practice to facilitate deeper exploration of clients' thoughts, emotions, and relationship dynamics. Often, clients identify with characters, plotlines, and themes that mirror personal struggles or internal conflicts that may be difficult to verbalize or express consciously.