Is therapy worth it for men?

Yes, therapy helps men manage stress, improve relationships, and better understand their emotions.

What type of therapy is best for men?

Psychodynamic therapy, CBT, and emotionally focused therapy are all effective depending on your needs.

What does therapy do for men?

Therapy gives men a space to talk, build insight, reduce anxiety or depression, and improve emotional balance.

Therapy For Men:
mens counseling west hollywood

I've been a therapist for nearly a decade, and I've not only provided mental health services to men but have also been a client myself as part of my training and it seems that therapy for men exists on a spectrum. On one end are men who find therapy casual and insightful, while on the other end are those who feel like they're stepping into enemy territory when they seek help.

What distinguishes men at one end of this spectrum from the other is often to do with some deeply ingrained ideas about masculinity. These ideas come from everywhere - our families, media, society, and personal experiences. Traditional masculinity often emphasizes toughness, independence, and emotional stoicism and instills a notion that we have to be self sufficient and figure out problems on our own.

Male Therapist Los AnGELES: Men's Issues.

I'm a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Certified Group Psychotherapist, and I specialize in working with male and male psychology and related mental health problems. I aim to use the best evidence-based approaches to improving the lives and relationships of the women and men I work with.

I have nearly a decade of specialized experience in clinical psychotherapy as a therapist in the West Hollywood and Beverly Hills area. I hold a Master's degree in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University, Los Angeles, focusing on Psychoanalytic Therapy. My expertise is further enhanced with certifications from the Los Angeles Institute and Society for Psychoanalytic Studies, and the Institute for Contemporary Psychoanalysis.

My career as a therapist spans diverse settings, from working with adolescents in residential settings and Beverly Hills High School to my role as the Clinical Director at an adolescent treatment center in Malibu. In 2017, The Group Foundation for Advancing Mental Health recognized my dedication to group psychotherapy with the Donald T. Brown Memorial Scholarship Award. I occasionally impart my knowledge in Group Therapy as an instructor at Antioch University in LA and provide training in counseling and in-service supervision to college students and new therapists across Los Angeles.

MASCULINITY AND MENTAL HEALTH

Why is therapy harder for some men than others? It comes down to four unwritten rules of masculinity that many men follow without even realizing it:

Bring Home the Bacon - Men should provide financially, even at personal cost
Be the Mountain - Never show weakness or vulnerability
Don't Think Pink - Avoid anything considered feminine
Guns are Great - Value strength and power

Rules Of Masculinity #1:
Bring home the bacon

This first rule suggests men must be providers and self-sufficient.

I've worked with many clients who feel intense pressure to support their families financially, often working multiple jobs despite negative impacts on their wellbeing. The emphasis on self-sufficiency can prevent men from seeking help at all, and require them to find alone, which often takes the form of self-medication through substances, pornography, shopping, or by channeling emotions into anger.

Men feel obligated to financially support their families, sometimes at personal cost (health, relationships).
Encourages self-sufficiency and solving issues without external help.
Leads to emotional isolation and increased likelihood of unhealthy coping mechanisms like substance abuse or compulsive behaviors.

Part of therapy for some men might involve identifying any roles this rule of masculinity has required men to assume and exploring whether they're a good fit and if they want to change them. Therapy explores family roles, alleviates resentment, and introduces healthier emotional coping strategies.:

Rules Of Masculinity #2:
Be The Mountain

This rule suggests men must be emotionally strong, unshakeable, and stoic. Men learn to suppress their emotions from a young age, leading to significant emotional distress and isolation in adulthood. This rule encourages men to "soldier on" even through intense emotional pain or crises, preventing them from seeking the help they need.

Men face pressure to remain emotionally stoic, appearing unshakeable and strong at all times.
Expressing feelings or vulnerability is seen as a weakness.
Childhood experiences frequently reinforce emotional suppression through invalidation or ridicule.

In therapy, we work on reframing vulnerability as strength, helping men learn to express and validate their emotions safely.

Rules Of Masculinity #3:
Don't Think Pink

This rule suggests men must actively reject anything associated with femininity.

Men internalize messages received in childhood that equate emotional expression and sensitivity with femininity, viewing these as negative or shameful traits. This rule strongly discourages men from exploring or accepting their full emotional range, which can severely restrict their ability to form deep emotional connections.

Masculinity often demands rejecting anything associated with femininity.
Early peer and societal messages reinforce strict gender roles.
Expressing emotions or engaging in typically feminine activities can lead to ridicule or rejection.

Therapy challenges these harmful stereotypes, promoting acceptance of emotional depth and reducing internalized shame.

Rules Of Masculinity #4:
Guns Are Great

This rule suggests aggression and physical strength are the primary ways men solve problems.

Many clients I've worked with initially struggled to manage conflicts or emotional distress without resorting to anger or aggression.

Cultural messages frequently reinforce the idea that real strength is shown through physical action rather than emotional intelligence or verbal communication.

Physical aggression or anger is often viewed as acceptable methods for resolving conflicts.
Emphasizes action over words, discouraging healthy communication skills.
Cultural and media portrayals (superheroes, action movies) reinforce aggressive behavior as ideal.

Therapy helps men develop skills for emotional regulation, constructive conflict resolution, and effective communication.

MALE THERAPISTS AND EFFECTIVE Counseling FOR MEN IN LOS ANGELES

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"Strength isn't shown by avoiding life's battles; it's revealed in choosing to face them head-on."

Overcoming Barriers to Seeking Therapy for Men

Research shows that one of the common issues that may play a significant role in influencing men's attitudes towards psychological treatment or counseling is hegemonic masculinity - a concept of masculinity that is widely supported by society. It is the idea that to be a 'man', one must exhibit characteristic traits such as strength, courage, aggression, and the ability to provide and protect.

Masculine Gender Role Analysis: The review highlights the need to consider how a client's childhood, development, and experiences with masculine socialization link with current stressors, traits, or values - some consider this to be a trauma of sorts.

Conformity to Masculine Norms: Studies suggest that assessing a male client's conformity (or non-conformity)to hegemonic masculinity can provide insights into their symptoms. The more someone subscribes to traditional masculine roles, the more likely they are to act out on feelings such as anger rather than communicate them through words.

Internalized Gender Role Stereotypes: A male therapist needs to understand and address the internal gender role stereotypes, assumptions, and biases that men may hold, which can affect their willingness to seek and engage in different life behaviors and relationships and learn new coping skills.

Impact on Treatment Engagement: Traditional masculine norms can make men more ambivalent towards psychological treatment and lead to premature dropout from services. This is often due to a conflict between seeking help and maintaining the appearance of strength and an independent life.

Male Therapist and Men's Counseling West Hollywood and Los Angeles

I have nearly ten years of experience in helping men explore and identify the lives they want to live and assist them in understanding the internal blocks that may be in the way of living a better quality of life.

I provide a safe place for in person therapy and counseling sessions in my private practice in Los Angeles, my office is in West Hollywood on Santa Monica Boulevard. In addition, I provide online therapy or virtual sessions if you live in the greater Los Angeles area or California.

Schedule A Free Consultation Call Here

My APPROACH TO THERAPY WITH MEN

The Environment

My therapy sessions are designed to be spaces where traditional masculine norms are acknowledged but not enforced. This means creating an atmosphere where men feel comfortable expressing vulnerability without the fear of judgment. I ensure that our conversations remain person centered and steer clear of the typical clinical feel and instead take on a more relaxed and conversational tone.

Goal Oriented

Understanding that many men are goal-oriented, I structure my sessions with clear objectives and actionable steps. We work collaboratively as a team to set achievable goals, ensuring that each session contributes to these aims. This approach provides a sense of direction and empowers my clients, making them active participants in their journey to wellness.

Communication

Language is a powerful tool in therapy, and I ensure mine resonates with my male clients. This involves using straightforward, action-oriented language and metaphors that men often find easier to relate to. By adapting my communication style I'm not only teaching new skills around connecting, but I aim to bridge the gap between the therapy environment and the world my clients navigate daily.

Emotional Literacy

One of the biggest challenges counselors face in men's mental health is the difficulty most men have articulating emotions. When your therapist can help you start seeing the connection between feelings, become more vulnerable, and find new ways of being in the world, you're beginning to explore healing and growth.

Normalizing

A key part of my therapy comes from psychodynamic therapy insights and involves normalizing the experiences of my male clients. I make it a point to validate their experiences, helping them see that what they're going through is not a sign of weakness but a part of the human experience. This validation is crucial in building trust and rapport with the right therapist or counselor.

Masculinity: Toxic Or Not

Masculine Socialization: I pay close attention to how masculine socialization impacts my clients. We explore how societal expectations about masculinity have shaped their experiences and coping mechanisms. This exploration is crucial in helping them break free from the confines of harmful stereotypes.

SUBSTANCE USE IN MEN

According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), approximately six million American men grapple with depression each year. Yet, research from counselors shows that men are significantly less likely than a female to seek help for their mental health issues, with depressive disorders being a prime example.

Signs of DEPRESSION IN MEN

A trained therapist knows that male depression can show up with these telltale signs specific to men:

Irritability: Unexplained anger and frustration.
Physical Discomfort: Unexplained aches, pains, or changes in appetite.
Social Withdrawal: Pulling away from relationships, friends, and loved ones.
Coping Behaviors: Turning to substances or risky decisions for relief.
- Substance use disorders.
- Pornography Addiction
- Gambling
- Affairs
- Low self-esteem

The Role of Male Therapists in Trauma-Informed Care

Trauma-informed care recognizes the profound impact trauma can have on an individual's mental, emotional, and physical well-being. It is a comprehensive therapeutic approach guided by key principles outlined by SAMHSA, including ensuring patient safety, fostering trust and transparency, encouraging peer support, promoting collaboration between therapist and client, empowering clients through voice and choice, and addressing cultural, historical, and gender issues.

Male therapists adopting this trauma-informed perspective are attuned to how trauma can disrupt the regulation of thoughts and emotions, potentially leading to symptoms like hyperarousal or hyperarousal. As such, they prioritize creating an environment of safety and stability within the therapeutic relationship before delving into the traumatic content itself. This focus on first establishing trust and a sense of security is crucial to prevent re-traumatization and effectively address the regulatory challenges trauma can pose.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Why is Mental Health Important for Men?

Unfortunately, everyone with a brain can be impacted with mental health issues, and due to the way we were raised, it seems that men have a really hard time understanding this. Men make up 49% of the population and 80% of all deaths by suicide - that means that men just aren't talking about what's going on for them.

Does Talking About Your Feelings and Therapy Even Help ?

Yeah. It does.

It's not just woo-woo feelings talk either, there's decades and decades of cold hard data and numbers behind studies that show therapy is really quite effective at treating certain mental health issues.

But How Does Therapy Help?

This is harder to explain, but sometimes you just need someone else to help you understand what's going on, even if you think you know yourself really well, there's always blindspots. Therapy provides a supportive environment to discuss complex emotions, gain insight into personal challenges, and learn valuable tools for managing stress, anxiety, or depression. Additionally, therapy can improve communication skills, boost self-confidence, and foster healthier relationships.

What Type Of Therapy Do I Need?

Which ever one sounds like the right fit for you, call around, ask lots of questions and go with the therapist you vibe most with, rather than the one you think you 'should' have.

Is It Better To Have A Therapist That's Also Male?

While therapy isn't inherently gender-specific, there's a common sentiment among both men and women that they find it easier to open up to a therapist of the same gender. For male clients, discussing gender-specific challenges may feel more natural with a male therapist, potentially requiring less background explanation and fostering quicker rapport. Similarly, some women, based on past negative experiences, may lean towards preferring a male therapist. However, it's essential to note that a skilled clinician can effectively navigate and address gender-related concerns. Ultimately, what truly matters in therapy is the bond and trust established between the client and the practitioner.