Ceely Counseling

03/07/2026

Reviews for Michael Ceely, LMFT - Counselor for Men in Berkeley, California

"Michael is a passionate and personable therapist. There are few male therapists who are as skilled with working with men as he is."
-Brian Sedgeley, Psy.D.

"Michael is an outstanding therapist. He is compassionate to your needs and also gives you just the right push to help you reach your goals. I highly recommend Michael."
-Kin Leung

"Michael is an amazing therapist. With compassion and understanding, Michael works with men to find the confidence in themselves to live an authentic fulfilling life. Michael's sports psychology training and his own experience of being an athlete, allow him the unique insight to help facilitate healthy changes in athletes, entrepreneurs and high achievers. I highly recommend Michael if you are looking for a therapist that will help you develop the skills and space to achieve your goals."
-Dr. David Shepard

"Michael is a very knowledgeable and multi-talented therapist. I know him best through his work with men. Michael champions men unlearning many of the masculinity myths that so many of us grew up on, and helping men find more authentic and vulnerable ways of being. In addition to his clinical work, Michael also supports men's work more broadly through the creation of Men's Therapy Directory, which provides a space for men to find therapists who specialize in men's individual and group work. He also produces wise yet down-to-earth videos on different psychological topics that I've found quite illuminating, many of which I have shared with my clients. I highly recommend reaching out to Michael if you're ready to dive in!"
-Troy Piwowarski, Psy.D.

03/02/2026

Think you're working efficiently by not taking a break? Think again. 🧠

Most people don't realize their focus and productivity take a major hit in the afternoon. It's called your circadian rhythm, and you can't fight it.

But here's the good news: taking a quick break can reset your brain and give you a powerful second wind. 💪

The ROI on taking a break is HUGE. So stop grinding and start working smarter.

🎯 Michael Ceely helps executives, entrepreneurs, and athletes perform at their highest level.

📩 Follow for more high-performance tips!

02/12/2026

Are you a people-pleaser? Do you find it hard to say no? The need to be liked by EVERYONE is a sign that something deeper is going on.

People-pleasing often masks itself as caring about others but dig deeper and you discover it stems from a need for external validation.

Follow for more insights on self-growth.

02/09/2026

Worried About Your New Job? Watch This First | High Performance Coaching

Are you stepping into a new high-stakes role and wondering if you'll be able to cut it? Feeling some imposter syndrome? You're not alone.

In this video, Michael Ceely, High Performance Executive Coach, shares powerful insights from his coaching sessions.

These insights will shift how you think about your new job role or position.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

✅ Skill Acquisition – You didn't start your previous role with all the skills you have now. The same will be true moving forward. You WILL acquire new skills.

✅ New Opportunities – Reflect on the unexpected opportunities that came your way over the past five years. New people, new clients, serendipitous moments... all that abundance will continue.

💡 So, give yourself permission to relax, trust your new role, and trust the path you're on.

About Michael Ceely
Michael Ceely is a High Performance Executive Coach who uses sports performance principles to help executives, entrepreneurs, and athletes achieve results far beyond their expectations.

📌 Topics covered in this video:

Imposter syndrome in leadership
Transitioning to a new executive role
Building confidence in high-stakes positions
Mindset shifts for success
Trusting your professional journey

02/03/2026

I was crushing it in the tech world. I had a great salary, I was ambitious, loving the work… until burnout hit.

The company I worked for brought in a business coach, but he was terrible! He only focused on the employees, not on the larger SYSTEM.

He gave us psychological tests, we did teambuilding activities... but none of the training addressed the real issue.

The real issue was organizational dynamics. It was a rapidly growing company and there were natural growing pains. The problem was not with the employees!

This frustrating experience became my catalyst for a career change. I went to grad school, studied counseling psychology, and now I help people understand the BIG picture in their jobs, so that can make INFORMED career decisions.

💡 Don't burn out and leave your job without understanding WHY things aren't working.

🎯 Ready to make informed career decisions?

👉 Follow for more insights on workplace dynamics & career growth!

02/03/2026

The world's greatest athletes have coaches. Why? Because they need someone with an outside perspective. Someone who can point out their blind spots.

The same principle applies to men who go to counseling. A counselor or therapist shows you what you can't see yourself.

A message to men: You don't always have to figure everything out on your own.

Getting help shows you care about yourself and want to make your life better.

Whether it's a simple issue or a big challenge, therapy can make a real difference.

02/01/2026

Many men suffer in silence, compartmentalizing, denying, or tolerating gaslighting in romantic or work relationships. Licensed psychotherapist Michael Ceely shares why men deserve healthy relationships, and sometimes that means being willing to walk away.

✨ The world is full of abundance and possibility. Men: you are worthy of respect.

👤 About Michael Ceely
High-performance coach and licensed psychotherapist helping men build healthier relationships.

01/18/2026

Therapy is like getting a coach 🏀✨
Just like Shaquille O'Neal, who solved his free throw struggles with a mental performance coach, you can get help too. Men: invest in yourself and explore therapy. 💪

Seeking help is a sign of strength.

01/02/2026

𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿'𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀? 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲, 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗦.𝗠.𝗔.𝗥.𝗧.

https://www.ceelycounseling.com/new-years-resolutions-the-winning-formula

Turn your New Year's resolutions into reality. Get S.M.A.R.T. + Accountable. The Winning Formula.

11/27/2025

The phrase "holiday family gathering" can bring up a lot of feelings, and for many, that includes stress and even dread.

This video provides a simple toolkit with three strategies for stress relief, helping you navigate tricky family moments during the holiday season.

This video was created with the help of NotebookLM from original content by Michael Ceely. Narration generated by NotebookLM.

11/26/2025

𝟯 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗥𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗲 𝗙𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗗𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆𝘀

Holiday gatherings with family can be stressful, especially when interpersonal dynamics come into play. But this year can be different.

Here are three strategies that can make your holiday experience better:

1. Acceptance: Stop expecting any of your "difficult relatives" to change. If challenging behavior happened before, it likely will again. Plan on it. Accepting this reality reduces the tension of unmet expectations.

2. Boundaries - Be proactive and decide in advance how you'll respond to any potential bad behavior. Coordinate with your immediate family ahead of time. Whether it's changing the subject, having a designated spokesperson, or even having an escape plan like a hotel room, give yourself permission to protect your peace.

3. Empathy - This isn't about tolerating bad behavior. It's about recognizing that someone's annoying actions often stem from their own pain or stress. Observe them without judgment. Don't take the bait. Let them be themselves while you stay grounded.

The goal this holiday season isn't a picture-perfect family gathering. It's about having a proactive plan and healthy boundaries.

11/22/2025

Perfectionism in High Achievers: Pitfalls and Solutions

Discover the five common perfectionism traps of high achievers and learn practical strategies to overcome them.

Discover the five common perfectionism traps of high achievers and learn practical strategies to overcome them. Helpful for executives, entrepreneurs, and athletes.