Therapy for Men

Are You A Man In Need Of Mental Health Support?

Are you struggling with elements of managing personal stress, anxiety, communication, or intimacy in your relationships?

Do you tend to shut down, become aggressive, or numb yourself—possibly with drugs or alcohol—when faced with uncomfortable emotions?

Is it difficult to find space in your life where you feel safe to open up and explore? 

For men, there is often an expectation to be strong and stoic in the face of adversity. Many of us were never given permission to feel sad or vulnerable, instead being told to toughen up and “be a man.” As a result, we may respond by shutting down entirely, becoming angry, or engaging in high-risk behaviors, including infidelity and substance use, when challenged. 

Alcohol, marijuana, and other drugs are widely used as coping mechanisms for men. In fact, it’s estimated that close to 12 percent of teenage and adult males will develop a substance abuse disorder at some point. The risks and consequences of substance abuse are numerous among this population, often leading to aggressive behavior, impaired judgment, a dip in performance, and even criminal misconduct. 

If any of these struggles speak to your experience, we want to assure you that a better version of yourself is possible through counseling. Working together with a therapist who specializes in men’s issues, you can learn to change your relationship with yourself so that you develop a healthier emotional response and sustainable coping strategies for managing stress. 

Despite Mental Health Issues Being Common Among Men, Many Don’t Seek Help 

Though a range of mental health issues—including depression, anxiety, substance abuse, grief, and trauma—affect men of all backgrounds, we are typically not taught to recognize the connection between our emotions and behaviors. Rather, we are quick to label any emotion as indicating weakness or develop psychosomatic symptoms that we view as being purely physical. Our culture does not encourage a healthy emotional blueprint for men, failing to set us up for successful relationships with ourselves, others, and the world around us. 

Therapy can be a deeply meaningful resource for helping men understand and verbalize their feelings, but unfortunately, many of us are too embarrassed or ashamed to seek treatment. Societal pressures perpetuate the idea that if we are indeed as strong and stoic as we should be, then we will find the answers on our own without relying on anyone else. 

However, the truth is that healing often requires support. By coming together with a trained, experienced therapist in counseling, you can foster new tools and perspectives that will allow you to be more emotionally aware, more connected in your relationships and more resilient.

Common Concerns for Men Seeking Therapy

  • Seeking therapy is a sign of weakness.

    While the stigma of therapy remains—especially among men who are conditioned to treat their emotions stoically—the truth is that it takes immense strength to seek counseling. Acknowledging that there is a problem requires tremendous insight, and wanting to find a solution demonstrates courage and fortitude. Taking charge of your mental health will allow you to feel more in control and aware of how your emotions affect you.

  • I am afraid of becoming vulnerable in front of a therapist.

    It’s very common for men to initially struggle with sharing their emotions in therapy. We will work with you to build a trusting, supportive therapeutic alliance so that you feel safe to become vulnerable. As you build tools in counseling, you will gradually become more comfortable getting in touch with, identifying, and expressing your emotions.

  • I am embarrassed by some behaviors and don’t want to share what I’ve done with a therapist.

    Discussing difficult topics and experiences is an essential part of the therapeutic process, and our therapists aim to create a nonjudgmental atmosphere where you can acknowledge, normalize, and overcome your shame. Empathy and validation will be key in allowing you to feel seen and heard in therapy for men’s issues. These elements will open the door to more honest, productive conversations.

Mental Wellness Montclair Specializes In Therapy For Men

Our counseling services are available to men of all backgrounds and experiences. Some of the common issues that bring men to therapy are: 

  • Relationship issues that have resulted from an inability to become vulnerable, a lack of work-life balance, familial pressures, and potentially, infidelity.  

  • Addiction issues that have resulted from peer pressure, stress, genetic vulnerabilities, and unresolved trauma.

  • Family responsibilities that lead to overwhelm, including caring for young children and/or aging parents.

  • Other mental health issues, including difficulties with anger management, that stem from a lack of emotional awareness, unresolved trauma, and the absence of self-care

What to expect

As we address presenting concerns in a non-threatening, nonjudgmental atmosphere, our overall goal in therapy will be to reduce emotional suffering and promote self-actualization. 

Since therapy is tailored to the specific needs of each client, there is a range of approaches that may be used to help the men we work with reach their goals. In general, we will collaborate on techniques for self-awareness to aid in changing unhealthy behaviors, improving decision-making, and fostering healthier relationships. By understanding what has and has not worked in the past, we can take small steps together that will lead to significant shifts. 

We will also work on identification and communication so that you can better understand your feelings and set effective boundaries. As your emotion regulation improves, you will be able to overcome unhealthy habits. Not only will this impact your daily quality of life—it will set you up to reach your long-term goals. 

As men, we have not been taught to view our feelings with much insight or compassion, but therapy can change that. As you feel supported to make positive strides in your life, your mental health will improve in ways that will positively impact your relationships, work performance, and daily routine.

Oftentimes, men are resistant to therapy due to shame, stigma, and fear
of becoming vulnerable. Our therapists are here to normalize and affirm your experiences.

For more information about our counseling services for men’s issues or to schedule a session with one of our therapists,

contact us below or call 973-210-7310.