Your Mind Isn’t Broken!

Don’t focus on your diagnosis - learn to repair the systems of mind that cause your symptoms.
Professional Member of the Institute of Counselling
Accredited by ACCPH and Glasgow Caledonian University
Peer-Reviewed Research
Online Sessions Worldwide

The pain that brought you here

If any of these are familiar, you're in the right place
Anxiety

An overwhelming feeling of dread is ruining your life

Insomnia

You can’t fall asleep and you can’t switch off

Depression

You feel numb and can’t connect to people

Addictions

No matter how hard you try, you just can’t stop

Obsessive Thoughts

Having trouble concentrating or you can’t switch your thoughts off

Life Events

Death, divorce, retirement, chronic pain, terminal diagnosis

50+ Years

Trauma Experience

50+

Books & Publications

100+

Lives Transformed

My Methodology
A science-backed approach to help you rewire your mind

I work with people who have already done therapy, read the books, or tried medication but still find themselves stuck in psychological distress.

Instead of focusing on specific diagnosis, we first focus on developing an understanding of your symptoms and what they point to – this will give you perspective.

At the same time, in order to gain some relief from your symptoms, you will learn the skills necessary to achieve your own emotional and mental regulation.

The work then progresses to building new mental and emotional habits through counselling, guided practice and support.

The goal is simple: to create measurable change in how you think, feel and act in your daily life.

My work is an integration of Cognitive and Dialectical Behavioural Therapy and Schema Therapy with practical mind-body exercises to retrain the automatic patterns that drive anxiety, depression and other forms of psychological distress.

About Michael
“Healing is about understanding the pain you carry and having the courage to imagine a new life without that pain.”
Michael Anthony Sebastian

I’m Michael Anthony Sebastian – a psychotherapist, researcher and author but I didn’t start out to be a mental health professional. Despite a successful career as a subsea engineer, for much of my life I struggled with the symptoms of early complex trauma until one day I couldn’t carry the weight anymore.

Fighting my way back to health, I left my successful career as an engineer in order to better study psychotherapy and understand what turns our minds against us. The answers I found made me realise that our culture is creating a pandemic of mental suffering.

I’ve published more than 50 books, articles and peer-reviewed papers on the causes of human suffering. But more than any credential, what drives me is the knowledge that real healing is possible – because I’ve done it and I’ve seen it done hundreds of times.

My approach isn’t theoretical; it is built from decades of being with people through the darkest moments of their lives and helping them find a way through.

I work with motivated adults experiencing trauma, PTSD, addiction, anxiety, depression and relationship difficulties – online, from anywhere in the world.

SPECIALISATION

CBT, DBT, Trauma, Schema Therapy, Compassionate Insight

ACCREDITATION

Accredited by ACCPH and Glasgow Caledonian University

FORMAT

In-Person or Online Sessions, Worldwide

LANGUAGES

English & Spanish

WORDS FROM THOSE I'VE HELPED
Real people - Real change

“I had suffered from anxiety and a fear of crowds for most of my life. Michael’s counselling gave me a chance to get to the root of the problem. When I learnt to be mindful of my thoughts and feelings, it was so much easier to let the symptoms go…”

Jane M.

Anxiety & Trauma

“…I was ashamed, I thought that my sex addiction was my fault. Michael helped me to actually see that my addiction was just my brain’s way of living with the pain of my automatic thoughts. Being able to just let that go was a new beginning for me…”

Christof A.

Addiction & Trauma

“…Michael’s online courses and books and one to one guidance has helped countless people toward health and emotional regulation who wouldn’t otherwise have come to therapy…”

Noelene S.

Retired Staff-Nurse

HOW I CAN HELP
Areas of specialisation

Emotional

Chronic Anxiety, Depression, Shame and Guilt, Mood Swings, Anger issues

Behavioural

Compulsive habits, addictions, self-harming, avoidance, anger and violence

Cognitive

Intrusive thoughts, worry loops, self-criticism, difficulty concentrating, ADHD, PTSD

Interpersonal

Grief, loneliness, withdrawal, fear of rejection/intimacy, repeated relationship patterns, divorce

Psychological

Chronic shame, fatigue, panic attacks, sleep problems, chronic stress, psychosomatics

Identity & Meaning

Low self-esteem, suicidality, Identity confusion, loss of purpose, life transitions, spiritual & moral problems

The Path Forward begins with
One conversation!

Your first consultation is completely free. No pressure, no commitment – just a chance to talk and see if you think I can help you.

COMMON QUESTIONS

What you might be wondering

What is DMN-Informed Neuroplastic Schema Therapy?

It’s a therapeutic approach I developed over decades of clinical practice and research. It integrates schema therapy, neuroscience and ascetic practice to specifically target the Default Mode Network, the brain system responsible for rumination and negative self-talk. By working at this level, we create lasting neurological change rather than just surface-level coping strategies.

How does online therapy work?

Sessions take place via secure video call at a time that suits you. All you need is a private space, a reliable internet connection, and a device with a camera. Online therapy is just as effective as in-person sessions for most conditions, and many clients find the comfort of their own home makes it easier to open up.

How many sessions will I need?

This varies significantly depending on your history and goals. Some clients experience relief of some symptoms over 2 – 4 sessions but for meaningful change you expect results within 8–12 sessions; others with complex trauma may benefit from longer-term work. We’ll discuss this openly in your first consultation and regularly review progress together.

Is everything I share completely confidential?

Yes. Everything you share is held in strict confidence in accordance with professional ethical guidelines. The only exceptions are the standard legal requirements around a stated intention that would cause a risk of serious harm to yourself or others,  which I’ll explain fully in our initial session and supply you with a copy of my privacy policy in writing.

I've tried therapy before and it didn't work. Why would this be different?

Many people have had this experience. Traditional talking or Cognitive Behavioural therapies can be helpful but often don’t reach the deeper neurological patterns that fuels our inner life and drives behaviour. My approach specifically targets these root-level patterns, which is why many clients who’ve tried other therapies find it transformative.

I don't see my problems described here! Can you still help me?

Yes. Most symptoms of psychological suffering stem from the same neuro-networks and can be helped with similar approaches. However, I do not prescribe drugs and I have no link to the local health industry.

TAKE THE FIRST STEP
Book your free Consultation

 A 30-minute, no-obligation, conversation to discuss what you’re going through and whether we will make a good team. I’ll answer any questions you have about my approach and explain what working with me looks like.

I live in Spain so I am on the same time as the city of Madrid.

I am normally available between 10:00 and 18:00 but out-of-hours appointments may be available on request.

I prefer not to work on Saturdays.

Request a Consultation
GDPR Agreement:
I'll respond within 24 hours. Your information is completely confidential We do not sell or trade your information.
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