Feel More Alive, Connected and Free
Therapy that helps you move past old emotional patterns and into genuine emotional change-in person or online.
Who I Work With
You might be a good fit if you are someone who:
Has insight into your struggles but still feels stuck, anxious, or disconnected.
Has tried therapy before and wants a different - faster and deeper kind of progress.
Struggles with anxiety, self-criticism, relationship patterns, or lingering effects of trauma, disordered eating, or other mental illness.
Wants focused, experiential work that transforms how you feel and relate (not just more understanding).
About Me
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Michael Steele MA, MT-BC, LCPC
I’m a licensed psychotherapist and Board-Certified Music Therapist with a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Music Therapy from Lesley University.
Many of the people I work with are insightful, high-functioning, and self-aware- yet despite everything they know about themselves, they still feel trapped in familiar emotional loops. My work focuses on what’s beneath that: the deeper feelings and inner conflicts that drive anxiety, self-criticism, and disconnection.
I have eight years of clinical experience, including four in higher levels of care at the Eating Disorder Center of Montana, where I provided both psychodynamic psychotherapy and group music therapy.
My approach is rooted in Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP) an experiential, attachment-based model designed to help people access and process core emotion for genuine, lasting change.
Healing Through Collaboration
Whatever you’re facing, you don’t have to do it alone. Our work begins with slowing down and noticing what’s actually happening inside you - the emotions, sensations, and patterns that shape your experience. We’ll explore these together with curiosity and compassion, helping you make sense of what’s been driving your distress and what your mind and body are trying to communicate.
As we work together, you’ll begin to notice moments of relief: less tension, more clarity, a stronger sense of self. Over time, these moments grow. You’ll move from managing symptoms to truly transforming how you relate to yourself and others.
What To Expect
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60-minute intake to clarify goals, history, and whether ISTDP is a good fit. This consult is a focused, value-packed session.
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Our work together begins with a longer 90-minute private-pay session. This extended time allows us to slow down, explore what’s bringing you in, and begin identifying the emotional and relational patterns that may be keeping you stuck. This format emphasizes depth, focus, and collaboration from the very first meeting.
The initial 90-minute session is offered outside of insurance because it allows for a more in-depth and individualized assessment than typical session lengths permit. After this initial phase, we’ll determine the pacing and duration that best supports your goals- whether continuing with longer sessions for intensive work or transitioning to standard-length sessions as appropriate. My approach is always tailored to your needs, readiness, and capacity for change.
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When helpful, we track symptoms with validated measures (e.g., PHQ-9, GAD-7) so you can see change over time.
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Many clients experience meaningful relief early in therapy- sometimes even in the first few sessions. But therapy is not a silver bullet. Lasting change only occurs when you are willing to confront the emotional patterns, defenses, and resistances that have kept you stuck.
Our work is active and collaborative: I guide you to notice and engage with what arises, even when it feels uncomfortable or threatening. The more you are willing to face and work through these resistances, the faster and deeper the change. Progress varies depending on the individual and the intensity of their engagement, and lasting transformation requires ongoing effort and courage.
In person
2504 W Main Bozeman, MT 59718
Online
Via a HIPPA-Compliant platform from the convenience of your home