Taking the Toxic Family Test: Understand Dysfunctional Family Dynamics
a 'toxic family environment is where the interactions and dynamics between members are harmful, negative and dysfunctional
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Therapy For Men:
mens counseling west hollywood
Mental health issues and disorders don't discriminate.
Mental illness doesn't care about your macho image, how fast you can run a mile, or how many burpees you did at CrossFit. The fact is, no matter your biology, you are just as likely to suffer from anxiety, depression, substance abuse, and other sneaky feelings that might catch you off guard and cause some relationship issues or emotional pain.
MALE THERAPIST FOR MEN'S ISSUES: ABOUT ME
I'm a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Certified Group Psychotherapist, and I specialize in working with men and male psychology and evidence based approaches to improving the lives and relationships of the women and men I work with. I have nearly a decade of specialized experience in clinical psychotherapy as a therapist in the West Hollywood and Beverly Hills area. I hold a Master's degree in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University, Los Angeles, focusing on Psychoanalytic Therapy. My expertise is further enhanced with certifications from the Los Angeles Institute and Society for Psychoanalytic Studies, and the Institute for Contemporary Psychoanalysis.
My career as a therapist spans diverse settings, from working with adolescents in residential settings and Beverly Hills High School to my role as the Clinical Director at an adolescent treatment center in Malibu. In 2017, The Group Foundation for Advancing Mental Health recognized my dedication to group psychotherapy with the Donald T. Brown Memorial Scholarship Award. I occasionally impart my knowledge in Group Therapy as an instructor at Antioch University in LA and provide training and in-service supervision to college students and new therapists across Los Angeles.
Men's Mental Health Issues Addressed by Male Therapists
Recognizing the Hurdle:
Taking that first step to consult a mental health professional is a significant challenge, but is especially so for men. This often stems from entrenched societal norms around masculinity, which can create a dilemma for men considering therapy that women don't tend to face as much. Typically, masculine ideals focus on strength, stoicism, and self-reliance. These traits can sharply contrast with the vulnerability, personal growth, and emotional openness that effective psychological work requires.
This dilemma makes it incredibly challenging for men to begin to explore evidence based approaches to common situations, such as anxiety or relationship complexities. This gap is in part responsible for preventing us from learning new coping skills and strategies and addressing and identifying underlying trauma or blocks from the past that impact our present-day business and work life.
The Stark Reality of Men's Mental Health:
Consider the alarming statistics: men constitute 49% of the U.S. population yet account for nearly 80% of all suicides. Approximately every 14 minutes, a man's life is lost to suicide in the U.S., noticeably larger than the rate for women. Notably, depression and anxiety can play a critical role and are thought to be a factor in about half of these tragic incidents. Societal expectations about how men should behave and feel often conflict with the principles of effective psychological care, grounded in openness, self-discovery, emotional vulnerability, and a readiness to confront personal challenges or past trauma. Therapists are available, willing, and trained in addressing disturbing thoughts and will help answer your questions and concerns without judgment or prejudice.
Insights from the British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy
Recent data from the BACP highlights a concerning trend: over 50% of therapists have reported an increase in male depression and anxiety disorders in the past few years. However, despite the growing need, a significant portion of men remain reluctant to pursue mental health support and continue to carry their struggles and just 'deal' with it. Research shows that men are much less likely to call therapists for support.
"Strength isn't shown by avoiding life's battles; it's revealed in choosing to face them head-on."
Overcoming Barriers to Seeking Therapy for Men
Research shows that one of the common issues that play a significant role in influencing men's attitudes towards psychological treatment is hegemonic masculinity - a concept of masculinity that is widely supported by society. It is the idea that to be a 'man', one must exhibit characteristic traits such as strength, courage, aggression, and the ability to provide and protect.
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Masculine Gender Role Analysis: The review highlights the need to consider how a client's childhood, development, and experiences with masculine socialization link with current stressors, traits, or values - some consider this to be a trauma of sorts.
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Conformity to Masculine Norms: Studies suggest that assessing a male client's conformity (or non-conformity)to hegemonic masculinity can provide insights into their symptoms. The more someone subscribes to traditional masculine roles, the more likely they are to act out on feelings rather than communicate them through words.
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Internalized Gender Role Stereotypes: A male therapist needs to understand and address the internal gender role stereotypes, assumptions, and biases that men may hold, which can affect their willingness to seek and engage in different life behaviors and relationships and learn new coping skills.
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Impact on Treatment Engagement: Traditional masculine norms can make men more ambivalent towards psychological treatment and lead to premature dropout from services. This is often due to a conflict between seeking help and maintaining the appearance of strength and an independent life.
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I have nearly ten years of experience in helping men explore and identify the lives they want to live and assist them in understanding the internal blocks that are in the way of living that quality of life.
I provide in person therapy sessions in my private practice in Los Angeles, my office is in West Hollywood on Santa Monica Boulevard. In addition, I provide online therapy or virtual sessions if you live in the greater Los Angeles area or California.
My APPROACH TO THERAPY WITH MEN
The Environment
My therapy sessions are designed to be spaces where traditional masculine norms are acknowledged but not enforced. This means creating an atmosphere where men feel comfortable expressing vulnerability without the fear of judgment. I ensure that our conversations remain person centered and steer clear of the typical clinical feel and instead take on a more relaxed and conversational tone.
Goal Oriented
Understanding that many men are goal-oriented, I structure my sessions with clear objectives and actionable steps. We work collaboratively as a team to set achievable goals, ensuring that each session contributes to these aims. This approach provides a sense of direction and empowers my clients, making them active participants in their journey to wellness.
Communication
Language is a powerful tool in therapy, and I ensure mine resonates with my male clients. This involves using straightforward, action-oriented language and metaphors that men often find easier to relate to. By adapting my communication style I'm not only teaching new skills around connecting, but I aim to bridge the gap between the therapy environment and the world my clients navigate daily.
Emotional Literacy
One of the biggest challenges counselors face in men's mental health is the difficulty most men have articulating emotions. When your therapist can help you start seeing the connection between feelings, become more vulnerable, and find new ways of being in the world, you're beginning to explore healing and growth.
Normalizing
A key part of my therapy comes from psychodynamic therapy insights and involves normalizing the experiences of my male clients. I make it a point to validate their experiences, helping them see that what they're going through is not a sign of weakness but a part of the human experience. This validation is crucial in building trust and rapport with the right therapist or counselor.
Masculinity: Toxic Or Not
Masculine Socialization: I pay close attention to how masculine socialization impacts my clients. We explore how societal expectations about masculinity have shaped their experiences and coping mechanisms. This exploration is crucial in helping them break free from the confines of harmful stereotypes.
SUBSTANCE USE IN MEN
According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), approximately six million American men grapple with depression each year. Yet, research from counselors shows that men are significantly less likely than a female to seek help for their mental health issues, with depressive disorders being a prime example.
Signs of DEPRESSION IN MEN
A trained therapist knows that male depression can show up with these telltale signs specific to men:
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Irritability: Unexplained anger and frustration.
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Physical Discomfort: Unexplained aches, pains, or changes in appetite.
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Social Withdrawal: Pulling away from relationships, friends, and loved ones.
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Coping Behaviors: Turning to substances or risky decisions for relief.
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Substance use disorders.
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Pornography Addiction
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Gambling
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Affairs
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Low self-esteem
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The Role of Male Therapists in Trauma-Informed Care
Trauma-informed care recognizes the profound impact trauma can have on an individual's mental, emotional, and physical well-being. It is a comprehensive therapeutic approach guided by key principles outlined by SAMHSA, including ensuring patient safety, fostering trust and transparency, encouraging peer support, promoting collaboration between therapist and client, empowering clients through voice and choice, and addressing cultural, historical, and gender issues.
Male therapists adopting this trauma-informed perspective are attuned to how trauma can disrupt the regulation of thoughts and emotions, potentially leading to symptoms like hyperarousal or hyperarousal. As such, they prioritize creating an environment of safety and stability within the therapeutic relationship before delving into the traumatic content itself. This focus on first establishing trust and a sense of security is crucial to prevent re-traumatization and effectively address the regulatory challenges trauma can pose.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Why is Mental Health Important for Men?
Unfortunately, everyone with a brain can be impacted with mental health issues, and due to the way we were raised, it seems that men have a really hard time understanding this. Men make up 49% of the population and 80% of all deaths by suicide - that means that men just aren't talking about what's going on for them.
Does Talking About Your Feelings and Therapy Even Help ?
Yeah. It does.
It's not just woo-woo feelings talk either, there's decades and decades of cold hard data and numbers behind studies that show therapy is really quite effective at treating certain mental health issues.
But How Does Therapy Help?
This is harder to explain, but sometimes you just need someone else to help you understand what's going on, even if you think you know yourself really well, there's always blindspots. Therapy provides a supportive environment to discuss complex emotions, gain insight into personal challenges, and learn valuable tools for managing stress, anxiety, or depression. Additionally, therapy can improve communication skills, boost self-confidence, and foster healthier relationships.
What Type Of Therapy Do I Need?
Which ever one sounds like the right fit for you, call around, ask lots of questions and go with the therapist you vibe most with, rather than the one you think you 'should' have.
Is it advantageous for clients to have a therapist of the same gender?
While therapy isn't inherently gender-specific, there's a common sentiment among both men and women that they find it easier to open up to a therapist of the same gender. For male clients, discussing gender-specific challenges may feel more natural with a male therapist, potentially requiring less background explanation and fostering quicker rapport. Similarly, some women, based on past negative experiences, may lean towards preferring a male therapist. However, it's essential to note that a skilled clinician can effectively navigate and address gender-related concerns. Ultimately, what truly matters in therapy is the bond and trust established between the client and the practitioner.
My Location:
8702 Santa Monica Blvd,
West Hollywood, CA 90069
262-509-0210
SOME PERSONAL THOUGHTS FROM MY BLOG:
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