Michael Grunwald

Michael Grunwald is an experienced Psychologist. He holds a Master of Psychology from Osnabrueck University (Germany), a Graduate Certificate in Counselling from Jansen Newman Institute (Pyrmont/Sydney) and has completed a Master of Counselling and Applied Psychotherapy in 2019. He completed his undergraduate Honours degree at Sydney University last century, living in Chippendale, Newtown and Leichhardt during the course of his studies. He is now a member of a number of Inner West APS-endorsed special interest/supervision groups.

Michael is experienced in working with a wide range of common adult mental health concerns in an open, sincere and frank manner, including anger manangement, depression, anxiety, stress, adjustment and obsessive compulsive disorders as well as various addictions (alcohol, drug, gambling, sex, internet) and recovery. As an older therapist, Michael brings decades of life experience into his counselling in Glebe, with personal experience of many of the challenges facing his clients, such as trauma, grief and loss, sex and relationship issues, separation, divorce, men’s issues, workplace stress and bullying, adoption, culture shock, repatriation, parenting, hoarding and the pressure of being both a domestic and international student. Michael is a long-time resident of Glebe, but has previously lived in country NSW, New Zealand and Germany.

Whilst primarily person-centred and strength-based in his approach to therapy, Michael is also trained and experienced in Narrative Therapy, Existential Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, Family and Relationship Counselling and Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR). He has a good understanding of the psychobiological foundations underlying our thoughts, emotions and behaviours, often providing clients with simple yet effective methods for reducing acute symptoms, modifying ways of thinking and developing more functional behaviours. Michael’s counselling and therapy approach focuses on harnessing his clients’ proven strengths, abilities, knowledge, skills and motivation as a platform for discovering new directions and meaning in their lives.

Michael is also a qualified Mediator. He speaks German fluently, having lived and worked as an expatriate in Germany for over 10 years and has some knowledge of Spanish. He is an experienced facilitator and has also taught swimming, skiing, translating, English as a foreign language, and business studies at tertiary level. In addition to personal coaching, Michael has also been actively involved with local junior soccer/football with Balmain as a team manger and coach in Sydney’s Inner West.

Michael is able to provide medicare rebates for individuals under a health care plan from your GP for a maximum of 10 sessions per calendar year, meaning that clients only make a small gap payment. Bulk-billing for pensioners and others under financial difficulty is also available.

Michael offers telehealth sessions via Zoom. He is also available for phone sessions. If you are a current client of Michael simply call him to discuss, or if you are unsure or a new client call Therapeutic Axis on (02) 9692-9788. 

Current Memberships/Registrations
Associate Member of the Australian Psychological Society (APS)
Registered Health Provider under the Australian Health Regulation Agency (AHPRA, i.e. can offer Medicare rebates
Member of the German Psychological Society (Bund deutscher Psychologen)
Senior Practitioner (AUSIT)