THERAPY FOR MEN
Are you a man who struggles with processing your emotions?
Do you feel down and unsure of what may be the cause?
Are your romantic partners complaining that they feel lonely or disconnected from you? Is your sex life lacking?
When you get into conflict, do you find yourself shutting down because you don't know what to say? Does anger get the best of you?
Do you feel embarrassed to say you need help?
While it may be obvious to you that you want to feel better and improve your relationship, it may be hard for others in your life to see that on the outside right now. We understand the frustration that comes with trying endless solutions only to end up in the same angry and lonely place over and over again. In a world where we've taught men to jump to action and be Mr. Fix-it, no wonder it's challenging to do anything else when distress hits. We understand the roles toxic masculinity has played in most male development, and while we don't want to change you to be an overly sensitive person you're not, Cycles' therapy for men will help you feel more confident expressing your emotions in a mature, adult manner. At Cycles Couples Counseling, we believe learning how and when to be vulnerable, is a fundamental part of learning how to be strong.
It can be challenging to know how to navigate and process emotions if you've never been shown how to do it. For many, learning how to be a man was all about focusing on what you can do, rather than what you feel. Society offers few examples of emotionally attuned and expressive men, and ascribes even fewer positive terms for men that show emotion. For these reasons, therapy for men can often feel like a taboo topic.
Many men have difficulty navigating feelings.
Think about it--if you didn't have a father, coach or mentor that showed you how to process and express emotions, where were you supposed to learn this vital skill? So many of our male clients were taught how to protect and provide for their families, but very few were given the tools to communicate with those same loved ones. If you're always trying to determine how others are doing and attempting to find solutions, it's normal that looking inward and getting in touch with your own emotions is challenging.
Think of a few masculine pop culture references. What are they known for? Physical strength, combat ability and sexual prowess are often the main factors that have come to define what it is to be a man. Rarely do we see manliness as emotional, unless the hero is expressing anger towards his adversary.
If you were primed to identify in these ways, it makes sense that you might struggle with Alexithymia (problems feeling and identifying emotions). One notable study in Finland found that Alexithymia was nearly twice as prevalent in men than women, and there’s lots more research that appears to support this finding. The good news is, however, that with the help of an Emotionally Focused Therapist, you can feel happier and have more successful relationships through increased emotional expression. It is possible!
Therapy for men teaches you strategies to process emotions and improve relationships.
Humans are innately emotional beings who are hardwired to depend on others. Despite this, society has taught many men to privilege stoicism and independence instead. This has led to increased levels of mental illness and relational distress for many men. Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) was designed tap into your emotions as a source of strength, rather than a weakness. Therapy for men utilizes EFT techniques to help you learn the tools to regulate your emotions effectively and use them to strengthen your relationships and deepen your intimacy.
Common Hesitations when it comes to therapy for men
Will therapy make me soft?
Therapy for men is not meant to change you. In fact, personality is relatively stable throughout one's life. Our goals are to help you learn when and how to use your vulnerability as a means to strengthen your relationships and better regulate emotions.
I feel embarrassed to go to therapy.
Honestly, we get it. While the stigma associated with going to therapy is gradually decreasing, in general therapy is often more stigmatized for men. Don't worry! We're bound to strict confidentiality laws by HIPAA and your therapist will not share your private information with anyone. However, it is our hope that through our therapy, you and other men like you will feel more comfortable speaking up about the importance of emotional support, and that this stigma will continue lessen.
Is it better for me to see a male or female therapist?
The decision is up to you! At Cycles Couples Counseling we have both male and female therapists on our team. However, we have found that many of our male clients tend to feel more comfortable opening up to someone who shares important aspects of their life experience, and as though another man might "get them" better. Our male therapists can help you feel understood. They are trained to work with feelings in a way that makes sense and can give you the tools to implement effective strategies that will help you feel better.
We specialize in emotional and relational therapy for men.
At Cycles Couples Counseling, we've been providing therapy for men for years. Over time, our clinicians have found that this technique not only helps men, it also helps their partners and children. Men who have successfully completed EFT therapy report decreased parenting issues and increased frequency of sex. In fact, the American Psychological association now cites EFT as a gold standard approach for working with relational distress. This is due to the fact that healthy emotional expression strengthens familial bonds and restores relationships.
The clinicians at Cycles Couples Counseling have successfully completed over 70+ hours of advanced training in Emotionally Focused Therapy and the majority of their client caseloads are couples. They have honed their technique over the course of thousands of supervised hours working with men, just like you, who are trying to improve their situation at home. Our clinicians specialize in emotional and relational therapy, particularly EFT, because that's what the evidence shows works best and is most effective.
Does therapy for men sound like a good fit for you? Talk to Max!
One of our Cycles Couples Counseling clinicians, Max DeFrain, LMFT, specializes in working with men. In addition to his Advanced Training in Emotionally Focused Therapy, Max has a wealth of personal experience and knows what it's like to grow up male in today's society. Max also understands the challenges that come with navigating relationships and emotional expression. Max is passionate about using his education and experience to connect with other men and help them be more successful in their relationships.
Interested in working with Max? CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE
Ready to give therapy a shot?
Cycles Couples Counseling offers complimentary 15 minute consultations. We understand you might feel hesitant and we're here to walk you through the process and answer any questions you might have about what therapy for men looks like at Cycles.
Therapy For Men
Studio City
4370 Tujunga Ave Suite 110,
Studio City, CA 96104
Hours:
Monday - Friday 8am-8pm
Limited Sunday Availability
