A misconception about therapy that tends to terrify men is that it’s super touchy feely. That it delves deep into the muck and mire of emotions and feelings.
Thankfully, there are tons of therapeutic modalities that emphasize logic without dwelling on the emotional experience.
For those curious about therapy for men, here’s what it looks like, including some of the things they work on in session.
Therapy for Men
First things first, everyone is unique. A therapist tailors their treatment approach to meet the needs and personality of each individual they see, regardless of their gender.
Yet there are some common differences between how different individuals perceive life and approach challenges. Which means that what works for a female may not work as well for a man.
How is Therapy Different for Men Than Women?
Men are more inclined to focus on fact over feeling. Therefore they benefit from a practical solution-oriented approach. Naturally, men gravitate towards structure. Therapists are likely to lean into that instead of dedicating sessions to open-ended discussion about feelings.
Again, this is not a blanket statement. You may want a little of both, structure and the space to share how situations affect you. Then you’ll benefit from incorporating a little of each into your sessions.
Generally speaking however, men have been raised to stifle feelings and minimize pain. This makes it harder to disclose information about their inner experience and wounds.
What Does Therapy for Men Look Like?
Given the male inclination towards a solution-oriented approach, men tend to do well with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). CBT is a structured process that emphasizes skill building and strategy.
However, a therapist will not assume this will work best and just launch into it. Your first sessions are spent gathering information. The therapist wants to know why you are seeking therapy. What issues you may be experiencing. As well as, get some insight into how you perceive the world.
Once the therapist has a better understanding of how you process information and what your general beliefs are, the therapist creates your treatment plan. They address your individual needs, based on your strengths and comfort level.
Regardless of who a therapist is in session with, their goal is to help. This means going at the pace you are comfortable with, not pushing you when you feel uncomfortable. Then they create a safe trusting environment where you are free to open up.
Topics That Therapists Work on With Men?
Males seek therapy for all sorts of reasons including depression, relationship issues, work related stress, anger issues, and more.
Anger is seen as “macho,” and as a result has become one of the few emotions society accepts for a man to express. Yet it can be frightening at best and at worst it can become really destructive.
More often than not, if you are a man you learned to discount your feelings, to “toughen up” and remain unmoved. This can lead to an inner fracturing of sorts. If you were taught to discount your feelings often then you find it hard to understand yourself, let alone process your emotions in a healthy way.
A therapist works to repair this and reconnect you with yourself and your inner world.
As a Man, How Do I Know If I Could Benefit From Therapy?
If life feels challenging or if you feel disconnected from yourself or the world around you you will benefit from seeing a therapist. Additionally, if you wake up feeling dread in the pit of your stomach and experience more pain and discomfort than you do joy, you will benefit from seeing a therapist.
When your emotions are out of control, or if you feel anxious, hopeless or depressed, again, therapy will help.
At the Relationship Therapy Center, we offer free consultations. We have male therapists and female therapists. We’d love to hear from you, answer your questions, and share more about how we can help. We provide therapy in two convenient Northern California locations, one in Roseville, CA and the other in Fair Oaks, CA. Remember: the sooner you reach out and get help, the less time it will take for you to feel better again.
Relationship Therapy Center has been helping men for over 7 years in the Roseville, CA and Fair Oaks, CA areas of Sacramento. Sam Stewart, LPCC and Josh Papageorges, AMFT are two therapists here who specialize in working with men of all ages.
Begin Individual Therapy in the Sacramento Area
Individual therapy provides many benefits for both your mental, emotional, and physical well-being. From handling challenging life events to learning to live with ongoing mental health issues to simply getting help with everyday stress, seeking counseling can help you live your best life.
If you are ready to start individual therapy, we have a variety of exceptional therapists ready to help you. Take a look at their bios and if you would like to schedule a free 15-minute consultation give us a call.
Other Services Offered at The Relationship Therapy Center in California:
In addition to Individual therapy for adults our Sacramento area counseling clinics located in Roseville and Fair Oaks, CA are pleased to offer a variety of mental health services. Our couples services include: Counseling after infidelity, sex therapy, co-parent counseling, family therapy, divorce counseling, intensive couples retreats, and premarital counseling. Our individual therapy services include, therapy for children, teen therapy, depression treatment, and individual relationship counseling. Our therapists offer online counseling in California to treat a variety of mental health concerns. Please reach out to our Sacramento area therapy office to learn more about the many ways we can help you or your loved ones heal and grow.