Why Therapy?
Therapy for men has had a significant stigma for years. It has been seen as a sign of weakness, and men have been hesitant to seek help for their mental health concerns. Fellas, here's the truth, therapy is more important than ever for men, as we navigate the changing expectations and roles that we face in today's society.
Men in today's society are expected to balance various roles, including protector, provider, emotional supporter, active parent, all while maintaining their physical health. This can be challenging as men are often expected to be strong and independent while also being emotionally present and supportive for their partners and taking an active role in parenting. The demands of 21st century jobs and longer work weeks can make it difficult for men to fulfill all these roles, leading to feelings of pressure and stress. Dudes, it's important for men to understand that it is okay to ask for help and support and that seeking support and maintaining a healthy balance can lead to stronger, more fulfilling relationships and overall well-being.
Why Men are Hesitant to Seek Therapy
One of the main reasons that men may be hesitant to seek therapy is because of traditional gender roles and expectations. Men are often expected to be strong, independent, and in control, and seeking help for mental health concerns can be seen as a sign of weakness or vulnerability. Here's the thing, this perspective is not only harmful to men, but it also undermines the importance of seeking help when needed. By recognizing that everyone can benefit from therapy and that it's okay to ask for help, men can build stronger, more fulfilling lives.
Another reason that men may be hesitant to seek therapy is because of the stigma that surrounds it. Many men believe that seeking therapy is a sign of failure or that they are not capable of handling their own problems. The real obstacle here is, we kind of created this stigma on our own but it's just not right. There was definitely a time where counseling wasn't as deeply rooted in science as it is today, but things have changed.
Science and Therapy
Therapy in today's world is more advanced than ever before. Therapists are trained to understand the impact that actions and experiences have on an individual's brain chemistry and how to address these issues effectively. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps us to identify negative thoughts and beliefs, and to challenge and change them. Just like a personal trainer might help us to identify and change unhealthy habits in our physical routine, a CBT therapist helps us to identify and change unhealthy habits in our mental routine. This might involve learning new ways of thinking about ourselves and our experiences or learning new coping strategies for managing difficult emotions. Over time, these changes can help us to feel better about ourselves, to be more productive and motivated, and to lead a happier and more fulfilling life. Just like physical training requires consistent effort and practice, CBT requires consistent effort and practice as well. However, the benefits of this "mental training" can be significant and long-lasting if we trust the process and the science.
Benefits of Therapy for Men
So why is therapy important for men? There are many benefits to seeking therapy, here are a few:
Improved mental health: Therapy can help guys to manage and resolve mental health concerns such as depression, anxiety, and stress. Feeling down or overwhelmed can be tough, and it can be especially hard for men to admit when they need help. But seeking support and working with a therapist can make a huge difference in improving mental health and overall well-being.
Enhanced relationships: Therapy can help guys to better understand and communicate with their partners, children, and other loved ones. It can be tough to balance all the roles that men are expected to play in today's society, and conflicts and misunderstandings can arise. By learning new communication skills and strategies for resolving conflicts, men can improve their relationships and build stronger, more fulfilling connections with their loved ones.
Increased coping skills: Therapy can help guys to develop coping skills and strategies for managing difficult situations and emotions. Nobody likes feeling angry or overwhelmed, and it can be especially tough for men to ask for help when they're struggling. But by working with a therapist, men can learn new ways of managing their emotions and handling difficult situations, leading to improved mental and emotional well-being.
Improved physical health: Chronic stress and untreated mental health concerns can have negative impacts on physical health. By managing stress and improving mental health through therapy, guys can improve their overall well-being and quality of life.
Changing the Way we Think about Therapy
If you're a man who is just not sold on the idea of therapy or feel like it's soft, I'd encourage you to go check out www.mantherapy.org. Just take a look at what these folks are doing to change the image of therapy for dudes. A guy might not feel normal saying, "That makes me sad" but is probably completely fine saying, "Yeah that bummed me out." A lot of times word paths and terminology can change everything about how we perceive something and the folks at Man Therapy do a great job of changing the way we see therapy for men.
My first article on this website was a call to action for men to "Stop being so tough" and this entry really goes hand in hand with that. Every guy probably doesn't need to go to therapy, but therapy absolutely could benefit every guy. I'm not a stigma fan in general so I'd encourage you all to stop the stigma and think about talking to a therapist as a way to function at the highest level. A guy who can't get his anxiety or stress levels under control but refuses to see a therapist is the equivalent of a guy walking around with a shredded ACL who doesn't want to get his MRI done. Stop the stigma, make yourself a priority, and take advantage of a segment of medical treatment that we've neglected for years. As always go do something positive today and thank you for reading.
John
About the Author:
John Lockman is passionate about promoting men's mental health. Having lost a family member to suicide at an early age, he is committed to raising awareness about the disproportionate number of men affected by this devastating issue. Through his own personal experiences and his website, www.thelockmanlounge.com, John hopes to help men think differently about how to prioritize their well-being and become more comfortable acknowledging and processing their feelings in a healthy way.
In addition to his passion for mental health advocacy, John also has almost two decades of experience in the business world. Most recently, he oversaw roughly 100 million dollars of annual revenue and was responsible for managing a team of 75 employees. In this role, John had a significant impact on customer service, profitability, employee retention, and marketplace growth. With his wealth of knowledge and experience, John is a seasoned professional with valuable insights to share.
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