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Brook L. McKay, Therapy

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Ferndale, MI
Brook L. McKay, Therapy

Brook L. McKay is a limited license psychologist providing individual and couples therapy (telehealth/online therapy services only).

10/13/2025

⁣OUTLOOK. How we perceive our outlook on life varies significantly depending on our mood each day. You can wake up and choose to let a negative mindset control your life or you can choose to have a more positive outlook.⁣
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For example, let’s say you were in a long-term relationship and have recently been dumped. You start to think you will never find love again, life feels unbearable and your thoughts end up in a negativity loop. It is only human to be angry, sad and heartbroken, but if you are unable to eventually flip the script, then your perception of life (and love) will be ‘colored’ more negatively. ⁣
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Instead, a more positive outlook to being dumped requires you to cognitively reframe the situation. You start to think about how this wasn’t the right person for you and how over time you will find someone else who deserves you, for you. You view this as an opportunity to explore your options and perceive the positive possibilities in life. ⁣
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At the end of the day, your outlook on life is a choice, no matter the situation. Level up.⁣
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Homework: What is your outlook on life at this very moment? If negative, try to flip the script.⁣
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10/06/2025

ZEN. With so many thoughts racing through our minds on a daily basis, we rarely take time to tune out all the noise. In recently visiting a Buddhist Temple I came to understand how their practices provide a space to reflect and cultivate calm on a path towards enlightenment. It is a sacred space for people to come worship and meditate freely. Personally, I think we could all appreciate more calm in our lives. Whether at a Buddhist temple or in a park, take the time to just be and clear your mind. ⁣
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Homework: Find inner peace today by going to a place that brings you calm and take a moment for yourself to meditate in silence.⁣
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#1972 ⁣
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09/22/2025

EMOTIONAL 2.0. I have used this photo once before and it still makes me laugh (I had hoped it would become a viral meme sensation like “Success Kid” did – Google it, but c’est la vie). The facial expression at this moment in time aligned with Tiny’s distaste for sitting on grass, hence him sitting on the cement scowling at us. This image truly evokes a palpable and relatable feeling.⁣
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Sadly, these days, like the photo I shall name “Distaste Kid”, I wake up physically tense and dislike what is happening to humankind. At this very moment, expressing how you genuinely feel is being censored. As a therapist this is the opposite of what we try to achieve in therapy. Most of the time the goal is to be emotionally expressive in a confidential setting with the hopes of eventually expressing our emotions to others on the outside with intention and compassion. Nobody has to ever agree on what is expressed, but we should always feel the ability to do such.

Homework: Openly express how you feel with uncensored authenticity.
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09/15/2025

SLIDING DOORS. This phrase became popularized following the 1998 film of the same name and refers to seemingly trivial choices made throughout your day that could in turn change the trajectory of your life.⁣
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Sliding door moments are not seemingly insignificant until we experience the consequences (good or bad). For example, it might be choosing to stay longer at a party instead of going home early, only to later meet your ‘soulmate’. Alternatively, it might be taking your car instead of the subway, only to get stuck in a major pile-up and miss your job interview.⁣
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These decisions eventually become the “what ifs” of our lives upon reflection. Whether you believe your fate is predetermined or not, just remember small decisions can have a big impact, so choose wisely.⁣
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Homework: Name a sliding door moment in your life (in the comments) and if you have not seen the film Sliding Doors, starring Gwyenth Paltrow, give it a watch.⁣

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09/08/2025

PARTNERS. As we celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary over the weekend, I thought back to our ceremony in Las Vegas sans Elvis and all we have experienced together since. Both the many trials and triumphs of our relationship, that for better or worse, have made us stronger.⁣
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As a couples therapist, I don’t claim to have all the answers on making a marriage work, but I know it takes work for it to last. Marriage is a partnership; one that is not always a 50/50 split.⁣
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Marriage is a choice; one where you wake up each day knowing whatever comes your way, you have your partner’s back, unconditionally . . . even on the bad days.⁣
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Homework: Name one good bit of relationship advice you have in the comments.⁣
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#20

09/01/2025

MASKING. Better known as social camouflaging in order to mask behaviors and symptoms in order to better blend in with the neurotypical world. While a term more commonly associated with autism and ADHD, it applies to other health conditions such as depression and anxiety.⁣
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Most of us can think of a time when we wanted to gain social acceptance or avoid being judged (e.g., drinking at a work function, dressing in name brand clothes, agreeing to something you don’t want to, acting happy when sad). We mute our true feelings, thoughts and behaviors to fit in. It is an exhausting way to live if constantly trying to be something we are not.⁣
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While wearing a ‘mask’ can be a fun way to try out a new persona or provide temporary social acceptance, it is better to let your authentic self shine, unapologetically.⁣
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Homework: Unmask and to thine own self be true.⁣
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⁣Photo credit: Oliver for Halloween.
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08/25/2025

LEARN. When to walk away. We have all been in relationships (past and present) where we repeatedly feel unappreciated, disrespected, unheard and taken for granted. We may remain in these relationships and make excuses for doing such because we think things might eventually change if we keep trying. But why do this to ourselves?!?⁣
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Most therapists in my field would attest to the importance of teaching clients about the power of creating healthy boundaries. Similar to the movement termed ‘quiet quitting’, it is about realizing your worth and consciously disengaging and removing yourself from a space where you are not fully valued. Understand walking away is not about punishing someone else, but setting yourself free to embrace healthy relationships where you are truly valued and supported.⁣
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Homework: Assess the relationships in your life. Do any fall into the category of ‘walking away’? If so, it may be time to do just that – walk away.⁣
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08/18/2025

PATTERNS. Just as a kaleidoscope reflects an array of colorful patterns, so do we, in a metaphorical sense. Our lives revolve around patterns, whether healthy or unhealthy. We develop schemas or patterns of behavior to interpret how we perceive the world, how we interact with others and how we make decisions.⁣
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But how do we break patterns that don’t serve us well? More so, how do we change the outcome? First, you need to recognize a particular pattern is not good for your well-being by taking a step back and looking at it with an outsider’s perspective. Next, determine if this pattern enhances or detracts from your life. If the pattern has negative consequences, then determine what needs to change to have a healthier outcome. It might mean talking to someone else for support and solutions, but at the very least, it is about doing things differently to get a different outcome.⁣
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Homework: Identify one pattern of behavior that does not enhance your life. Change one small part of this pattern and see if you get a different outcome.⁣
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Photo credit: My beautiful mom.⁣
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08/11/2025

ROOTS. Think of your relationship or relationships as a tree. There are the roots that keep a tree grounded and the branches that allow the tree to grow. The banyan tree, unlike other trees, forms roots above ground better known as aerial roots. These aerial roots drop down off the branches of the banyan tree and appear as if ‘strangling’ the host tree, but they are in fact supporting the tree’s large extended canopy of branches.⁣
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Applying this to relationships, we all want to feel supported by our partner, family or friends and in turn support their growth. Everything is linked and interconnected. When we develop strong roots and supportive relationships, we flourish.⁣
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Homework: Name the top 3 supportive relationships in your life. Now, text/call this person to thank them for their support.⁣
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08/04/2025

COLLECTION. There is something psychological to be said about collecting things. Whether books, art, records, magnets, letters or whatever you fancy, what is the reason? For some it is retaining a piece of history and nostalgia, while for others it might give them a sense of purpose and belonging among others who share the same interest.⁣
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Whatever the reason, for any collector the coolest bit is the story behind the collection. There is a piece of an individual’s identity revealed in each item as if assembling a puzzle. I know when I select a postcard collected from my world travels, I am instantly transported back to that place and the experiences that ensued; each one holds meaning and a special place in my timeline continuum. Whether a hobby or obsession, collecting is the psychological pleasure of procuring something that has meaning in your life.⁣
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Homework: What do you collect and why? Answer in comments.⁣
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Photo credit: My son and I spent hours assembling this miniature bookstore; never again.⁣
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07/28/2025

QUIRKS. So often we spend countless energy trying to fit in and hide what aspects of ourselves we think others might consider ‘weird’. In a recent article in Psychology Today, it discusses how our individual quirks are what distinguishes us from others. Rather than our quirks being perceived as defects, quirks are viewed as strengths, if we choose to embrace them.⁣
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Take for example someone who is an overthinker. This is the person in the classroom or at work meetings who asks one too many questions, while others wait impatiently to be dismissed. This individual might eventually refrain from asking questions to avoid others getting annoyed, but this quirk is in fact the very strength that makes this person a successful project engineer. Just remember, we are all perfectly imperfect and unique, so embrace your quirkiness.⁣
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Homework: What is one of your quirks? How can you use this quirk as a strength?⁣
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NB: Full ‘Quirks Are Superpowers’ article @ psychologytoday.com/nz/articles/202505/why-your-quirks-are-your-superpowers⁣
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07/21/2025

COMMUNITY. We all like to feel as though we have belonging, that we matter and we are connected to others. Having a sense of community and interconnectedness ensures we don’t feel as though we are going through life alone. Now more than ever, we need community and experiencing such is vital for our psychological well-being⁣.
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Homework: Join a club or organization with people who share your values and find your community. ⁣
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Address

22757 Woodward Avenue
Ferndale, MI
48220

Opening Hours

Monday	8am - 8pm
Tuesday	8am - 8pm
Wednesday	8am - 8pm
Thursday	8am - 8pm
Friday	8am - 12pm

Telephone

+12487024907

Website

http://www.michiganmodernpsychology.com/

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Brook is a limited licensed psychologist with a background in music therapy. She has over 15 years' experience working with a diverse range of individuals, couples and families experiencing relationship difficulties, depression, and/or anxiety.

While Brook treats a wide range of issues, she specializes in working with relationship or marital issues and couples with special needs children; primarily autistic children. She is currently providing Autism Evaluations using the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Second Edition (ADOS-2).

Brook's therapeutic approach is as unique as each of her clients who make the proactive decision to receive professional support and invest in their well-being. Currently, she is seeing private clients and performing autism evaluations in Ferndale, Michigan.