Dr. Michael Azarani

Hi, I’m Dr. Michael Azarani (they/them), and I’m a Licensed Psychologist. I believe therapy is most healing when it offers not just insight, but an experience of genuine relationship. It’s through this kind of connection that we begin to understand ourselves, our histories, and our place in the world in more compassionate, adaptive ways.

I grew up in Austin and earned my Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from Oklahoma State University. My clinical experience includes working in university and community mental health settings, providing therapy, assessment, and supervision.

When I’m not in session, I enjoy spending time with my queer community, reading (especially with an audiobook in the background), playing RPGs and video games, and watching a good TV marathon. If you want to talk Pokémon, I’m always game!

My therapeutic philosophy is rooted in the idea that symptoms often arise as survival strategies—especially in response to early experiences of loss, systemic oppression, and relational wounding. While these strategies may no longer serve us, I believe they once had meaning. In therapy, we work together to understand these patterns, explore how the world has shaped your internal experience, and create space for new ways of relating—to yourself, to others, and to the world around you.

My Indigenous identity informs my understanding that insight is not linear, but recursive—we return to lessons again and again, deepening our understanding over time. I draw from psychoanalytic, interpersonal, critical, and cognitive-behavioral theories, and hold a deep commitment to culturally responsive care.

While my goal is to help clients reduce their symptoms, I also believe that lasting change comes from exploring new ways of being with ourselves, others, and the world around us. This journey can lead to a greater sense of overall well-being. I want clients to understand that being psychologically healthy doesn't mean never feeling pain—suffering is a natural part of being human—but rather, we can learn to relate to our suffering in a way that doesn't overwhelm us, helping us stay resilient and connected.