Therapy for men · Austin, Texas and online
You're capable, responsible, and driven, but something still isn't working the way it should.
Many men come to therapy not because their lives are falling apart, but because the same internal and relational patterns keep repeating, despite insight, effort, and success in other areas of life.
Michael Strand, PsyD
Licensed Psychologist · Austin, Texas
ACT · IFS · Motivational interviewing
Why men come in
When things look fine on the outside, struggles can be easy to miss.
You may be productive at work and reliable for others, yet feel increasingly tense, distant, uncertain, or dissatisfied in your personal or relational life. If you've learned to rely on independence and self-management, it can be hard to know when a more structured approach would actually help.
Men often seek therapy when stress, pressure, or disconnection starts leaking into areas they care about: relationships, health, motivation, or self-trust. Left unaddressed, these patterns tend to repeat, even as insight increases.
Therapy here is not about weakness, blame, or endlessly "talking about feelings." It's about developing emotional clarity, internal steadiness, and practical relational skill, so you can show up differently where it matters most. The aim is to build skills that translate across work, relationships, and personal life, not strategies that only work in the therapy room.
Who I see
Men, individually, and couples when relational repair is part of the work.
What I help with
Stress and burnout, anxiety and rumination, irritability, emotional shutdown, repeating relationship and dating patterns, sexual concerns, and life transitions such as career shifts, divorce, fatherhood, and midlife.
How I work
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Internal Family Systems, somatic and mindfulness-based practices, attachment-based therapy, cognitive and behavioral strategies, and communication skill-building. My approach
Fees and insurance
$275 for 50 minutes and $400 for 90 minutes. Out-of-network for new clients, with superbills for your out-of-network benefits. Fees and insurance
Where and when
In the office in Austin on Wednesdays and Saturdays, and online in Texas and most U.S. states through PSYPACT on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays.
Reviews
4.9 average from 15 reviews on Google. Read what clients have said
Common patterns
Where men often get stuck.
Internal experience
Chronic stress, burnout, or feeling constantly "on"
Anxiety, rumination, or a busy mind that won't shut off
Irritability, frustration, or emotional reactivity
Emotional numbness, shutdown, or disconnection
Shame, self-criticism, or perfectionism
Relationships and dating
Repeating dating or relationship patterns
Difficulty expressing needs or setting boundaries
Conflict that escalates quickly, or gets avoided altogether
People-pleasing, withdrawal, or loss of self in relationships
Sexual concerns such as performance anxiety or intimacy blocks
Identity and life transitions
Career shifts, burnout, or questions of purpose
Breakups, divorce, or changing relationship roles
Fatherhood, aging, or midlife reassessment
Feeling successful but unfulfilled
An integrative, evidence-based approach
Your goals, values, and personality matter.
Treatment often integrates several approaches depending on your goals, history, and current challenges. Therapy is tailored to you, drawing from evidence-based models that support both emotional depth and behavioral change.
ACT
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.
Learn how to stay open to what's happening internally, stay grounded in the present moment, and find the courage to do what matters most, especially when stress, emotion, or uncertainty show up.
SOMATIC
Somatic and mindfulness-based practices.
Working with your body and nervous system to reduce stress and stay grounded when stakes are high.
IFS
Internal Family Systems.
Understand and work with "parts" of yourself and resolve inner conflicts, for more confidence, calm, clarity, and courage.
ATTACHMENT
Attachment-based therapy.
Identifying and shifting relational patterns so connection feels steadier, more secure, and less exhausting, especially in moments of closeness, conflict, or uncertainty.
CBT AND DBT
Cognitive and behavioral strategies.
Strengthening emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and decision-making in moments that typically trigger reactivity, shutdown, or overcontrol.
SKILLS
Communication and relationship skill-building.
Developing practical ways to express needs, set boundaries, and navigate conflict without escalation, avoidance, or loss of self.
What clients have said.
I have worked with many therapists in my life, but none have helped me like Dr. Strand. I have been recommending him to everyone I know.
He was very kind and made me feel very comfortable in a situation that was very difficult. This was my first experience with mental health providers, and he not only provided good insight … but also helped me feel heard and validated my concerns.
Dr. Strand is very informative in his field. He is very personable, understandable, and helps me a great deal with my issues. He seems to always know what is going on with me.
Dr. Strand is amazingly wonderful, caring, friendly, and so easy to talk to. He is helping me so much. I feel like his expertise and caring attitude helps so much in my healing.
Coordinated support
Change rarely happens in isolation.
Whether you are looking for individual therapy, integrated support, or a full-spectrum recovery plan, we can tailor an approach that aligns with your needs.
When appropriate, therapy may be supported by:
Coordination with medical or psychiatric providers
Referrals to men's groups or community support
Structured exercises and self-guided practices
Couples therapy, when relational repair is part of the work
The aim
What you can expect to gain.
Men often come to therapy wanting traction, not just insight. Therapy can help you move:
From reacting defensively responding with clarity
From emotional avoidance emotional steadiness
From overthinking relationships trusting internal signals
From people-pleasing or withdrawal grounded boundaries
From self-criticism self-trust and internal coherence
From repeating old patterns creating new options
The aim is not to become someone different, but to relate to yourself and others with more clarity, steadiness, and choice. Over time, many men report feeling calmer under pressure, more confident in relationships, and more aligned with their values, without losing their drive or edge.
Questions men ask
Before you book.
Can I meet online?
Yes. Online sessions are on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays, anywhere in Texas and in most U.S. states through PSYPACT. Office sessions are on Wednesdays and Saturdays in Austin.
What does a session cost?
$275 for a 50-minute session and $400 for a 90-minute session.
Do you take insurance?
For new clients, I'm an out-of-network provider with all insurance plans, including Aetna. If your plan includes out-of-network benefits, I can give you a superbill to submit for possible reimbursement.
What happens on the free call?
Fifteen minutes, free. It's a chance to clarify your goals, ask questions, and assess fit, not a commitment.
Do you see couples too?
Yes. Couples therapy can be part of the work when relational repair matters. Couples therapy
Start with a call.
If you're ready to stop managing friction and start changing patterns, the next step is a brief consultation call. This call is a chance to clarify your goals, ask questions, and assess fit, not a commitment.