Therapy for Men: A Guide to Finding the Answers
We’re so glad to hear that men’s mental health is no longer taboo, and that goes for therapy for men as well. It’s about time that all people get the support they need to live more fulfilled lives. However, it’s a fact that men are still less likely than women to seek therapy.
As society is becoming more open-minded about this topic, we’d taken a moment to look into the options of therapy for men, reasons why they usually seek help, and what to expect from your first session with a therapist.
Reasons to Seek Therapy for Men
Men and those who identify as men face mental health issues just like everyone else. This could involve problems and illnesses like bipolar disorder, PTSD, anxiety, sadness, anger issues, eating disorders, problems with body image, and more. It might also just be as simple as having someone to talk to in order to get past uncomfortable emotions and ideas and enhance your general perspective on life.
In addition to being able to support you through these mental health issues, therapists who specialize in treating men will be trained to approach counseling with an awareness of the outside influences on men’s lives.
Because of societal perceptions of masculinity, men have encountered a variety of particular obstacles while seeking therapeutic services. Although there are other factors influencing men’s mental health besides gender, men may face particular challenges due to limited notions of what it means to be a man, such as achievement, control, and power. These may negatively affect behavior, feelings of self-worth, emotions, and interpersonal relationships.
Benefits of Therapy
It’s not necessary to put on a front or appear to be someone you’re not when in therapy. You may be who you truly are there, express your emotions, and voice your worries without worrying about being judged. Since the therapeutic connection is based on acceptance and trust, you are free to freely explore your feelings and ideas. Besides being yourself, there are other benefits men should be aware of.
Get to Know Yourself Better
Men are generally expected by society to be emotionally repressed, although therapy promotes appropriate emotional expression. Feelings connected to stress, worry, sadness, rage, or anything else can all be explored. You can better understand yourself and your responses by giving expression to your feelings.
Improve Your Communication Skills
Enhancing communication skills through therapy can help you in both personal and professional interactions. You’ll get improved communication skills for expressing your ideas and emotions, attentive listening skills, and constructive problem-solving techniques. Better relationships are the result of having stronger communication abilities.
Learn Different Coping Strategies
There are many obstacles in life, and therapy gives you useful coping mechanisms. Therapy offers strategies to handle and get past challenges, whether they are personal, relationship, or work-related stressors. Enhancing your coping skills can help you become more mentally resilient.
Become Healthier
Therapists focusing on men’s mental health are aware of the particular difficulties that guys encounter. They understand that men may be affected differently by problems such as controlling their aggression, substance misuse, and relationship troubles. Therapy offers a customized strategy to deal with these issues.
Effective Therapy Approaches for Men
Treatment is not a one-size-fits-all process. Everybody who seeks counseling will bring a unique context with them. Those belonging to the same demographic will possess distinctive qualities of their own. A skilled therapist will be able to establish a setting that accepts you for who you are. It is quite common for people to be uncertain about what to expect when they enter therapy.
An intern, LMFTA, or licensed therapist can help you process emotions in a way that is comfortable for you. Therapy can be an open forum for discussion, or it can be highly action-oriented, with goals and steps to achieve them.
Men are demonstrated to respond better to defined plans, action-oriented therapy, and the ability to track their progress toward goals, as opposed to talk therapy’s tendency toward more feelings-focused and abstract discussions. For many, it is inspiring to see how therapy works from the beginning, to know that skills can be acquired and that there will be greater control.
Experts in mental health have also discovered that modifying terminology during therapy, such as outlining the procedure in detail and adopting a coaching stance, are useful strategies. Make sure you feel like you have a strong therapeutic fit before choosing a therapist. It’s entirely up to you if you find it easier to talk to another man or value the viewpoint of a therapist from a different group. This could involve locating someone who identifies as your gender identity or sexual orientation.
When’s It Time to Seek Therapy?
When it comes to depression, anxiety, and similar mental health issues, men frequently exhibit different symptoms than women. Men who experience these symptoms, their loved ones, and even some medical professionals and therapists may overlook these indicators. These symptoms are equally real, and it’s critical to recognize them in order to make an informed decision about when to see a therapist.
Indications that you should consider therapy include:
- Feeling more easily agitated than usual
- Sudden weight loss or gain
- Aggressive outbursts of aggression
- Feeling down or overwhelmed
- Drinking, gambling, or using drugs
- Losing interest in your favorite activities
- Frequent headaches
- Difficulty to focus
- Feeling tired even after a good night’s sleep
Remind yourself that these symptoms are nothing to be ashamed of and that you are not alone. Although it’s common to think that discussing your issues with others won’t help, this is untrue.
One of the best things you can do to start feeling better is to go to a therapist. Meaning that they can support you in overcoming your emotions and finding solutions that suit your needs.
Regardless of your goal, whether you want to become more assertive in your workplace or improve how you are in your relationship, therapy can guide you toward it. Learning the tools you need to live the life you want is what any good therapist can give you.
About Life Coaching and Therapy
Life Coaching and Therapy (LCAT) is a therapy and coaching practice that transforms our clients lives through our flexible. Multi-technique approach and pleasure-skills training provided by systematically-trained and licensed therapists!
Get to know our founder and owner, Amanda Pasciucco, (a.k.a. The Sex Healer) PhD, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), and an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist (CST) that has developed innovative therapy programs and therapy videos that get results.
Our team of compassionate, licensed therapists and certified sex therapists help all clients who visit us for a variety of personal, relationship, intimacy and sex problems.
LCAT provides on-site appointments, as well as video chat and text therapy programs.
Learn more about how LCAT can help improve your life at What We Do.
