Men's Mental Health: You Matter

Men's depression and anxiety don't tend to look the same as it does in women, which can make it difficult for men themselves as well as providers and loved ones to correctly identify and validate when a man is struggling with their mental health and is in need of support. 

Depression and anxiety in men often stem from struggles with identity pertaining to their purpose, impact, the extent to which their able to be the classical protector/provider, being unsure of how to handle emotions or communicate them well without being received poorly or not wanting to burden others, and feeling like a failure or insecure in career, financial growth and stability, or in their romantic partnerships. Instead of expressing these fears and feelings, as a man you may withdraw, push people away, avoid emotionally intimate conversations, "check out" through use of substances, video games, social media scrolling, or over-working.  It may be hard to feel truly connected to and supported by others. You may try to conceal or hide your emotions, but be told that you're distant, apathetic, uncaring, or not present. Or, you may try so hard that you're pushing yourself to hold it all together and be everything to everyone that you feel like you're breaking inside. You may also feel like you're never good enough or "it's never enough." Anger and irritability may be what others notice, or the way you end up expressing your emotions, but that is more of a mask than the truth of what you want, need, or experience day to day. 

I work passionately with men to help them find their sense of worth, purpose, and identity without losing their humanity, their loves ones, and their values. I help men with emotional expression, communication, mindfulness, self-esteem/self-worth, values clarification, sturdiness, self-compassion - both fierce and tender, emotion regulation, and healing from wounds over growing up as a male in modern society.