Men's Therapy
"Men's therapy to help you realize your true potential"
We live in a confusing time. Many men are reaching the age where we “should” be feeling like adults, yet are held back by circumstances seemingly beyond our control. We feel societal pressure to embody gender stereotypes that are embedded into our culture and reinforced by media. Some of these traits include the following:
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Self-sufficiency: Talking with others about your issues and concerns is weak; Men should figure out their personal problems without asking for help.
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Acting tough: A guy who doesn’t fight back is weak; Guys should always act strong even if they feel scared and nervous.
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Physical attractiveness: Successful men look good; But spending too much time on your looks is not manly.
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Rigid gender roles: Men don’t do household chores; Men should be the financial providers for their family.
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Heterosexuality and homophobia: A gay guy is not a real man; Straight guys should not have gay friends.
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Hypersexuality: A real man has as many sexual partners as possible; A real man never says no to sex.
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Aggression and control: Men should use violence when necessary; A man always has the final say in a relationship. (MensLine Australia)
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Body image issues: Real men don’t obsess about their bodies or have certain body parts they can’t stand and imagine other people notice about them first.
In short, we live in a society that craves male mentorship, but sorely lacks avenues in which to acquire it.
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I have worked with countless men that have harbored either one, some, or all of the ideas mentioned above. Men that feel they are doing the best they can, but are somehow doing it wrong. That have achieved the things they were “supposed to” in order to make them feel fulfilled, but still find that inner peace is out of their grasp. People that feel like impostors. Men that feel they desperately need to talk with someone in an understanding, nonjudgmental space in a way they previously have not.
Encouragingly, we are at a time where more men than ever are considering talking to a professional. Unfortunately, there are not nearly enough male therapists to meet these needs. I am the first to advocate that not all men need or want a male therapist, but many of my clients express that they had not felt a connection to a person like they have experienced in my office. They have finally talked to another man about the things they have held too close to their chest and that have been causing them undo depression, anxiety, and self-consciousness.
To clarify, I’m not against doing traditionally masculine activities, nor should you be. The difficulties come when we confuse enjoying these things with using them to create a satisfactory, adequate identity that will be accepted by society but does not allow for true expression or ourselves.
If you have ever felt that you could use a place to truly relax and breathe, to have an honest and open discussion with another human being about the things with which you struggle, I would be honored if you would contact me.