5 Benefits Men Can Obtain from Therapy with a Professional Counselor

Starting therapy can be an anxiety-provoking process for anyone, especially for men. From calling the office, filling out paperwork, providing documentation, to finally logging on or showing up to your first appointment, there can be a lot of second thoughts and doubts. For many, scheduling time to “talk about your life problems” seems foreign. The stigma of seeking a mental health professional (especially for men) keeps those who could benefit the most from receiving help. Once you get past your initial hurdles, the benefits of therapy can be transformative and enlightening, at the least. 

Here are 5 benefits men can obtain from therapy with a Professional Counselor:

A non-judgmental space:

I cannot stress how important a non-judgmental space is for men. A space where men can be honest with another person (especially a male) and ultimately with themselves. Men need this space to be brutally honest with their thoughts and feelings. At times the fear of judgment or repercussions can stop men from sharing their true thoughts and feelings. There is power in hearing your thoughts said out loud.

There is a stigma for men to express certain emotions such as fear or sadness. Though this stigma may hinder men from sharing or processing emotions with friends, it does not stop them from experiencing those emotions. A therapeutic space can be the key to healing battle wounds and gaining insight into yourself.

Insight into self: 

Men need time for reflection. Therapy can help discover limiting beliefs about self, identify patterns in behavior, and, even more importantly, identify ways to empower. You can see how a non-judgmental space is essential when gaining insight into self. Insight into self can involve insight into the effects of family.

Insight into relationships:

“My wife said I may need to talk to someone.” Many men begin their journey into therapy because a significant other suggested it, scheduled the appointment, or even gave an ultimatum. Despite how the journey begins, there are benefits from the process. Therapy can be a space to explore and gain insight into your various relationships, not just romantic ones. Men gain insight into relationships with children, parents, girlfriends, colleagues, siblings, etc. Similar to gaining insight into self, men can discover unrealistic expectations in relationships, investigate patterns in their relationships, and find ways to cultivate healthy relationships.

Practical tools:

Men like tools: “What can I do” “How do I fix this” “How do I make it stop.”  I truly believe that spending time processing thoughts and feelings is essential, but at the end of the day, men want to walk away from a meeting feeling like they gained something to use in their life, a tool. Keep in mind that therapy is not a quick solution for long term problems, but can provide practical tools to use in your professional and private life.

Reduce stress:

Often men come into therapy seeking relief from stress and/or mental health concerns like anxiety or depression. Even men who do not initially walk in the door for mental health concerns may realize they are a ticking time bomb with the amount of stress they are holding. When working with a licensed professional, they can provide evidence-based practices to assist in managing and relieving many stressors and mental health diagnoses. The safe space, coupled with the gained insight and practical tools, can leave men in an overall better space, providing clarity to life and current situations.

If you are interested in learning more about the benefits of therapy or starting your therapeutic journey, feel free to connect with us.