Therapy for men: Empowering men with comprehensive mental health support

Is Therapy Good for Men?

Therapy for men, much like it is for women and children, is almost always of benefit to the individual and those in their lives. Therapy for men imparts essential skills related to: 

• Emotional intelligence
• Emotional regulation
• Self-reflection
• Coping
• Communication

These encompass differentiating between thoughts and feelings, pinpointing triggers, recognizing bodily sensations as emotional cues, and acquiring healthier coping mechanisms. Additionally, men discover the significance of overt and clear communication, moving beyond stereotypes to express feelings like loneliness and the desire for connection more effectively.

Men's Mental Health: What Does Therapy Do for Men?

Therapy for men will vary, based on the therapist’s personality, the male client’s needs, and the therapeutic approach being used. Typically, they involve reflecting on the past week and learning new skills. 

For men, part of the process may involve addressing societal influences on behavior and evaluating whether these norms align with their values. This aspect aligns with the “F therapy”, or Feminist counseling perspective, where sessions may focus on exploring childhood messages and their impact, both positive and negative, on individuals. 

This exploration might span one or multiple sessions, depending on the client’s needs. For example, a father might come to therapy looking to learn how to be a more emotionally intelligent dad for his children and/or partner.

Why Is It Hard for Men to Go to Therapy?

It’s not always difficult for men to go to therapy—although there is research to indicate that men attend therapy at much lower rates than women. There are a few reasons for this: 

• Men are often socialized to express mainly two emotional states: calm and angry. 
• Not all men are taught how to communicate what is happening in their inner world.
• Men are taught that it is safer for us to express anger than it is to be sad, worried, depressed, confused, or panicked.
• Because anger is a protective emotion, a lot of men struggle with setting it aside and looking at what their anger is protecting them from.
• Some cultures and families teach men that they have to be stoic and completely self-reliant, to their detriment, and not seek out support. 

Thus, acknowledging and processing emotions could be a scary prospect for many, as it is something they haven’t done or infrequently do. Furthermore, the area they live in may exemplify this as well by encouraging “macho male” behaviors that reinforce unhealthy ways of processing emotions. 

There may also be some distrust towards therapists due to them perhaps having a bad experience and being forced to attend therapy growing up or other outlying factors that may have made them distrustful, such as therapy being used as a weapon against them in a custody case.

What Type of Therapy Is Best for Men? Should a Man Get a Male Therapist?

There are various therapeutic modalities that male individuals benefit from—but there is no “best” approach. Often, it is not the modality that produces the best results, it’s the quality of the relationship with the therapist, who can identify as male or female.

There may also be any number of reasons for a man to prefer a male or female therapist. Here are some examples: 

• A man might feel more comfortable talking about “man stuff” to another man because they have shared lived experiences
• Their mother figure may have neglected the family and now there are trust issues they experience with women
• Grandpa (or grandma) may have been the only positive influence in the male client’s life
• The client’s favorite teacher may have been a man
• The client wants to learn from another man how to be a “good man”
• The client may think that he is in competition with a male therapist and work better with a woman

Regardless of preference, the most important thing for someone who is seeking therapeutic services to find a therapist that they jive with and feel comfortable with as that’s what’s going to help them feel safe to try new things and grow.

When Does a Man Need Therapy?

The clues for a man needing to go to therapy are the same as they are for everyone else. Some of those clues are:

• Feelings of anxiety and depression
• Feeling irritable
• Struggling to connect to the important people in their lives
• Struggling with their identity and finding meaning in their life
• A desire to be a better partner
• Struggling to practice self-care
• Struggling to focus on things and effectively organize their day
• Feeling weak because they are unable to provide for themselves or their family
• Experiencing PTSD symptoms as they cope with flashbacks to troubling times and nightmares

Can a Man Change in Therapy?

Yes—anyone can change in therapy. Change is a difficult and scary process often, and takes time.

When it comes to addressing lingering habits and behaviors, it can take more than 60 days for real permanent change to occur. Even then, multiple roadblocks or glitches can keep a man (or anyone) from changing and improving their life.

Men's Mental Health Month

June is Men’s Mental Health Month. The purpose is to bring awareness about the challenges men experience. Here are some statistics about men’s mental health issues:

• 6 million men suffer from clinical depression, an under-diagnosed condition in men
• 3 million men suffer from a phobia or panic disorder
• CDC data indicates that men make up a disproportionate amount of annual suicide attempts in the U.S. 
• The Trevor Project in 2022 reported that 6% of cisgender LGBTQ+ men and 22% of transgender men have attempted suicide.

It is important to normalize the mental health challenges men and other individuals face to destigmatize getting help for mental health. 

The more we all talk about it and learn about it, the easier it will be for all of us, especially men, to seek out extra support just like how we take physical health seriously.

Schedule Therapy for Men at Thriveworks

At Thriveworks, we’re committed to providing tailored support for men facing various challenges. Our skilled therapists offer a safe, judgment-free space where men can explore their thoughts, feelings, and societal influences while gaining valuable skills to navigate life’s complexities. 

Don’t hesitate to take this important step toward personal growth and well-being. Schedule an appointment and start your journey toward a happier, healthier you. We’re here to support you every step of the way.