Michael Pezzullo, LMFT

08/05/2025

9 years sober today. Thank you to everyone who supported me on this journey. If you’re struggling, there is help out there. As they say: it works if you work it 🙏🏻😃

❤️

07/15/2025

How to Interview a New Therapist

If you’re looking for a therapist, chances are you’ll talk to a few. These days, most therapists offer free consultation calls before booking a full session—which is great. But what should you actually ask?

Here are my top tips for making the most of that conversation:

✅ They Hear You
This might sound simple—but make sure your potential therapist is really listening. Do they use your language? Repeat your words back to you? That’s a good sign they’re attuned to your experience.

✅ They Can Help You
No therapist is an expert in everything. We all have core competencies and specialties. Make sure the therapist has experience with your specific issue or concern.

✅ They Don’t Jump Too Far Ahead
A therapist shouldn’t be giving you full solutions after 15–20 minutes. Yes, they might offer initial impressions—but be wary of anyone who jumps to conclusions too quickly.

✅ They Have a Plan
You’re reaching out for support. You deserve someone who offers clear next steps—whether that’s setting up an intake session or referring you to someone else. Look for a therapist who takes action.

✅ They Have a Clear Perspective
Even in a short consult call, you should get a sense of the therapist’s personality and approach. That gut feeling of chemistry matters—and it’s okay to trust it.

Finding a therapist can be tough—but it’s worth it. Knowing what to ask can make the process a whole lot easier.
Have you had luck interviewing therapists?�Let me know in the comments 💬👇

07/11/2025

Check out my appearance on the 'Tyler & Gabriel Want to Chat' podcast!

In this episode, we sit down with Michael Pezzullo—a licensed therapist and mental health advocate with a practice rooted in LGBTQ+ affirming care.Raised in ...

06/02/2025

Check me out on the latest episode of The Modern Therapist's Survival Guide podcast!

Listen now: bit.ly/mtsgpodcast419 🎧

Curt and Katie chat with Michael Pezzullo, LMFT, about providing affirming and trauma-informed therapy for gay men. We explore common misconceptions therapists hold, the complexities of hookup culture, and how s*xual trauma often shows up in subtle and misunderstood ways. We also look at how clinici...

05/13/2025

Is the S*x Positive movement helpful or harmful? Check out my latest video on my YouTube Channel.



Link: ⤵️

Liberation is great.We should be free to express ourselves—as long as we respect others. But can s*x positivity be a way to condone or encourage unhealthy se...

04/24/2025

Conversion therapy, also known as reparative therapy, is a vague and harmful practice that claims to “cure” same-s*x attraction. It’s often rooted in religious dogma and remains prevalent in certain highly dogmatic and homophobic communities. Conversion therapy is deeply traumatizing. Many men who have endured it suffer from severe depression, and tragically, some take their own lives.

If you’ve experienced conversion therapy, please know this: you are not alone, and healing is possible. As a gay men’s therapist, here are the steps I recommend to begin your healing journey:

Read my full blog ⤵️:
https://www.michaelpezzullo.com/post/surviving-conversion-therapy-a-gay-man-s-guide-to-healing

04/19/2025

As a couples therapist in Los Angeles, one of the most common issues I see is folks feeling like their partner doesn’t meet their needs. This issue is common in both gay and straight couples. But I’ve noticed that gay men, having spent years repressing their emotions and authenticity, often struggle the most. If you’re struggling with feeling fulfilled in your relationship, here are some tips to get your relational needs met now:

1. State them. It’s that simple. Sure, it’s great when our partner can read our minds, like when the waiter shows up without you waiving them over. But you’re much more likely to get your needs met if you simply ask.
2. Meet your partner’s needs. It’s not extra credit—it’s your job. Holding up your end of the bargain will elicit a similar response in your partner.
3. Know yourself. You expect someone to meet your needs if you don’t know them ourselves. But we often do. And this sets us all up for disappointment.

How do you get your needs met in your relationship? And, have you used couples therapy to help you in this process? Would love to hear your thoughts 🙂

04/09/2025

It seems like everyone these days is non-monogamous. Terms like ethical non- monogamy, open relationship and even polyamorous are part of every conversation for most gay men. But what about monogamy? And how do you know which dynamic is better for you? As a gay men’s therapist, let me offer a case as to why monogamy might be good for you.

Read my full blog: ⤵️

https://www.michaelpezzullo.com/post/why-gay-men-should-be-monogamous

04/01/2025

Is Grindr Healthy? A Therapist’s Guide to Using Hook-up Apps

If you're a , chances are you've used or at least considered using hookup apps like or . These platforms have become an integral part of the dating landscape, offering convenience and anonymity. While they are extremely popular, many guys have a complicated relationship with these apps. On one hand, they love the opportunity to easily connect with others for s*x or casual encounters. On the other, they feel that these apps can be a huge waste of time and effort. The key to navigating this digital landscape effectively is understanding how to make the most of these platforms while managing your expectations. With the right perspective, hookup apps can actually be an enjoyable and fulfilling experience. Here's how you can make the most of Grindr, or any other hookup app.

Read my full blog here: ⤵️
https://www.michaelpezzullo.com/post/is-grindr-healthy-a-gay-therapist-s-guide-to-using-hook-up-apps

**oy

03/17/2025

You might have heard that the President is “coming for your poppers” (according to ). Apparently, the is investigating one of the manufacturers of a popular brand of poppers—leading the company to halt production. Uh-oh. Even if this is true, this is not something we should be upset about. What we should be concerned about is how rampant and commonplace drug use has become in our community that sniffing nail polish remover is a perfectly common thing to do before s*x; that this type of drug use doesn’t elicit any concern at all among most . The truth is addiction and substance use disorders are rampant in the gay community. That’s where our concern should be. Let me explain why.

🏳️‍🌈 Gay men are 12x more likely to abuse stimulants.

🧠 Poppers can cause permanent (and potentially fatal) brain damage.

I’m not looking to vilify or demonize those struggling with substance use or even addiction. On the contrary, we want to encourage them to get help and de-stigmatize mental health and addiction treatment.

But more importantly, we want to set a health precedent for younger folks. How? By discouraging them from using substances. We should be setting a good example for them. Not encouraging them to engage in the same destructive behavior that we did.

*x

Read my full blog here: ⤵️

https://www.michaelpezzullo.com/post/trump-poppers-controversy-a-deeper-look-at-drug-use-in-the-gay-community

03/10/2025

When it comes to body image, many assume that all gay men share similar struggles. The pervasive stereotype suggests we must always be ripped, lean, and conventionally attractive. With this expectation constantly reinforced by media and social circles, it’s no surprise that many gay men feel immense pressure to conform to an often unattainable ideal. Gyms are filled with people striving for the perfect physique, and weight loss or appetite suppressant supplements seem to be everywhere. It’s important to clarify that while body dissatisfaction is common, it is not synonymous with body dysmorphic disorder (BDD). This distinction is crucial because they require different approaches to treatment. As a gay therapist in West Hollywood, let me explain the differences between body dysmorphia and body dissatisfaction . . .

Read the full blog on my website 🔗: michaelpezzullo.com/blog

03/03/2025

The Menendez brothers infamously murdered their parents in 1989—slaying them with shotguns in their Beverly Hills mansion. The gruesome crime scene captivated the country, followed by a sensational trial. The brothers were labeled spoiled brats who sociopathically murdered their parents to claim their inheritance. They have been jailed for 35 years, both serving life sentences. Following the release of the Netflix original series and documentary last fall, the narrative has changed dramatically. Many have rallied for the brothers' release—including relatives of their deceased parents. On Friday, the new Los Angeles District Attorney, Nathan Hochman, unfortunately called to reject the brothers' request for a new trial, shooting down one possible path to their release. While there are still avenues the brothers can pursue toward freedom, this measure has dashed one of their few options. As a trauma therapist, I recently wrote a Weho Times blog on the reaons why I think the Menendez Brothers should go free.

Read the full blog below: ⬇️

The Menendez brothers infamously murdered their parents slaying them with shotguns in their Beverly Hills mansion, a gruesome crime that captivated the country.