“I don’t want to talk about my feelings.” If you are a man considering therapy for the first time, this may be what you are thinking. Many male clients have expressed this concern to me. Many men are uncomfortable talking about feelings because the notion that men should bottle up their feelings is deeply ingrained in our culture. From a young age, boys who are hurt are told to “walk it off,” “get over it,” “man up,” and “don’t cry.” Some boys were even called “weak” or physically punished for crying. No wonder so many men feel uncomfortable talking about feelings! So let me reassure you right now: I will not make you talk about feelings if you don’t want to. But if you want to talk about your feelings, I offer a non-judgmental, confidential space where you can.
As part of my practice, I provide practical, no-nonsense, skills-based therapy for men. Many male clients have found my natural counseling style helpful. I am honest, straightforward, respectful, confidential, and efficient. You can count on me to “keep it real” and focus on solutions. I have provided effective individual and group counseling services for men from all walks of life, including many who never participated in counseling before.
What can you expect if you meet with me for counseling? Therapy can be as simple or complicated as you want it to be. It can take just a few sessions, or you may choose to come to therapy for several months or even years. What you work on and how long you come to therapy is really up to you.
Here are some examples of the types of goals I can help you accomplish through therapy:
- Understand why you feel so angry or irritated.
- Reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety.
- Learn to manage your moods, so your mood swings are not so extreme.
- Manage stress better.
- Learn healthy relationship skills, like how to communicate better and set boundaries.
- Be a more gentle and nurturing dad.
- Avoid “acting just like your dad” since you swore you would never be like him.
- Talk about painful stuff that happened in the past (painful childhood experiences, death of a loved one, or divorce), so you can move forward.
- Let go of the need to control everything.
- Learn to connect better with others and expand your social circle.
- Overcome obstacles that are keeping you from achieving your full potential.
- And more ….
I know that our society says men are supposed to be tough and courageous. The truth is that it took strength and courage for you to visit this website, and it takes strength and courage to come to counseling. I invite you to continue reading and reach out to me if you have additional questions. I am available by email, phone, or in person to explore whether I might be the right therapist for you.