Michael Pezzullo, LMFT

10/06/2025

The Ethics of Gay Cruising in 2025: A Therapist’s Take 👇

Gay cruising is one of the oldest—and most controversial—forms of connection in LGBTQ+ culture. In this video, I explore the hidden ethics of anonymous encounters, the psychology behind cruising, and why it persists in 2025 despite the risks.

From its historical role as a lifeline for gay men, to its evolution into a subculture of thrill and fe**sh, cruising raises complex questions about shame, stigma, safety, and expression. As a therapist in Los Angeles, I break down what makes cruising appealing, the ethical dilemmas it presents, and how to navigate it with honesty, safety, and care.

If you’ve ever wondered whether cruising is rebellion, liberation, or risk—you’ll find answers here.

👉 Full Video on YouTube (-for-gay-men)

09/23/2025

Happy Bday to me! 🥳🎂

♎️

09/15/2025

We’re just getting started 🙂

Link 🔗 below!

https://www.youtube.com/-for-Gay-Men

08/26/2025

🌈 The Gay Men’s Guide to S*xual Confidence 🌈

Most gay men grow up exploring s*xuality in secrecy, shame, or confusion. That’s why I created a free 3-part course to help you build authentic s*xual confidence—starting with self-knowledge.

Here’s the journey:
✨ Part 1: Exploring Your S*xual History
✨ Part 2: Understanding Your Arousal Template
✨ Part 3: Defining Your S*xual Future

In Part 1, I’ll guide you through reflection prompts to uncover the story of your s*xual development—your first attractions, early experiences, and how they shaped your confidence today.

📝 To go deeper, download my free PDF worksheet with space to write your reflections. Link in bio!

*xualConfidence

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