Men’s Counseling

Men's issues in therapy often include challenges related to emotional expression, masculinity norms, relationship struggles, anger management, fatherhood, workplace stress, trauma (including racial and intergenerational trauma), and mental health conditions like depression and anxiety. Many men also seek therapy for PTSD, childhood wounds, self-worth, and difficulty connecting with others emotionally. For BIPOC men, therapy may also involve unpacking systemic oppression, racial trauma, and cultural expectations around strength and vulnerability.

Therapy for men focuses on creating a safe space where you can express emotions without judgment. Approaches like somatic therapy help men reconnect with their bodies and process trauma stored in the nervous system, while EMDR can help reprocess distressing memories. Therapy also challenges societal beliefs that equate emotional suppression with strength. Many therapists use cognitive and mindfulness-based techniques, but somatic practices help men go beyond just "talking" to truly feeling and healing.

Less than 20% of men in the United States receive mental health treatment or counseling, though this number has risen significantly over the past two decades—an 87.36% increase since 2002. Despite this progress, men continue to seek mental health care at lower rates than women. In 2022, for example, about 16% of men received mental health treatment, compared to 27% of women. A 2021 CDC report further highlighted this gap, showing that only 8% of men had received counseling or therapy in the previous year.

This disparity underscores the ongoing challenge of encouraging men to seek mental health support. In 2021, only 40% of men with a reported mental illness received treatment, compared to 52% of women. However, attitudes are shifting as discussions around mental health, masculinity, and emotional well-being become more widespread. Still, stigma remains a significant barrier—especially in communities of color, where therapy has historically been seen as unnecessary or difficult to access.

Not at all. Going to therapy is a sign of strength, not weakness. It takes courage to confront emotions, process pain, and break generational cycles. Seeking men’s therapy doesn’t mean a man is broken—it means he’s committed to healing and becoming the best version of himself. True strength comes from self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and the ability to seek help when needed.

Therapy can be hard for some men because of societal conditioning that discourages emotional vulnerability. Many men have been taught to "man up" or "push through" struggles rather than express pain. There’s also a lack of representation in the mental health field—many men, especially BIPOC men, don’t see therapists who look like them or understand their lived experiences. Additionally, discussing trauma, especially if it involves feelings of helplessness, can be particularly difficult for men conditioned to be self-reliant. That being said, not all men find it hard to go to therapy! Many men actively seek out mental health support and find therapy empowering, transformative, and a vital tool for personal growth.

Some men ignore their mental health due to stigma, cultural expectations, and a lack of awareness about mental health issues. Many have learned to suppress emotions from a young age and may not even recognize the signs of depression, anxiety, or trauma. Additionally, structural barriers—such as lack of access to culturally competent care, financial constraints, or fear of being judged—can make seeking help feel like an uphill battle. However, not all men ignore their mental health. Many are proactive in seeking support, engaging in therapy, and breaking cycles of silence and suppression. Increasingly, men are prioritizing their mental well-being and recognizing that caring for their emotional health is just as important as physical health.