Men's Issues

I provide a safe and validating therapeutic environment for men to explore concerns they may not feel comfortable sharing with others.

It’s a confusing time in history for men. Men have been told their whole life to “toughen up” and restrict their humanity to just “manly” emotions like anger. Now, society expects more emotional maturity from men, and they are called insensitive when behaving as has always been expected. Everyone deserves to be their truest self and not be held back by gender roles. I believe that patriarchy has hurt men, and they may find it healing to explore masculinity in a healthy way.

Men come to see me for a wide range of reasons. Sometimes my male clients are seeking support or guidance around a transition or life event and find that they're not sure who they can trust with their innermost thoughts. Sometimes it's that they find they have reached the goals they set out to reach but don't quite feel satisfied. Other times, men come to see me when a relationship with a loved one is feeling challenging. Feeling listened to without judgment can feel helpful.

I am able to talk openly with you about whatever issues that you're having with your marriage, when it comes to sex, your anxiety revolving around sex, and things that you might be embarrassed about telling your partner. I truly have a judgement free zone and I have already seen many things in life as I am 50 years old and I am here to help you overcome whatever challenges that you're facing.

Expressing tenderness and being emotionally open are important to nurturing healthy relationships with those around you, yet few men feel comfortable doing this. Often, anxiety, depression, anger, impatience, lack of confidence, and life and work stress get in the way. I help and support men in stepping over these hurdles and improving their relationships.

We live in a society where men are expected to focus on performance and achievement all the while adhering to a code of keeping emotional expression to a minimum. Where do all of your feelings go? Furthermore, the feelings about having those feelings? Wouldn't it be great to have a space where you could process what actually is going on for you? I love providing therapy for men looking to unpack their experience because there are so few outlets available for this specialized care.

These days understanding what it means “to be a man” can be full of mixed messages. Typically, these "rules" of masculinity come from the environments men developed in but were internalized so young that it can seem like they are the natural or correct way. I work with men to examine many of the expectations they contend with and decide what should be embraced or left behind.

Let me support you in navigating issues specific to what it means to identify as male. I can offer a fresh perspective and experience working with men from a variety of backgrounds.

Too masculine, not masculine enough? Too in touch with emotions, not in touch enough? For so many of us men, we don't fit into any one box. Yet, we might have been raised or currently living among people who don't get us. This can lead us to question if we are 'good enough' or 'doing it right.' Learn how to be comfortable in whatever way you choose to express who you are. Let me help you release old fears, old patterns and live authentically, now and everyday.

Most men are brought up hearing expressions such as "don't cry" and "man up". These implicit messages from family, friends, and culture cause males to create protective and sometimes maladaptive coping mechanisms around their feelings. Ironically, men are taught not to express feelings in their youth and then expected to show emotional intimacy in adult relationships. I help men explore their repressed feelings and authentic express them in a way that invites deeper connections with others.

As a man, you may be used to: Solving your own problems Not asking for help Avoiding talking with others about things that cause you stress and upset Believing that there is something “unmanly” about seeking and participating in counseling Again, you are not alone. There are numerous reasons that boys and men in our culture would choose to suffer in private silence than admit to another person that there is something they cannot fix on their own. In addition, it’s sometimes tough to go to your friends or family for support, or they are simply not helpful. And searching for solutions on the internet and in books has it’s limits (and can be confusing and frustrating, too). Now, you are still struggling and are thinking about seeking the help of someone like me: a men’s counselor. In our culture, there are expectations for men not to be “weak” or “vulnerable” and to hide emotions or be “warriors.” However, it’s a myth that talking about your problems and how you feel about them will somehow, magically, make you less of a man. Not true. Times are changing, and men need to learn critical skills like emotional intelligence, communication skills, stress management and relationship building. That’s where men’s counseling can help.

I utilize existential, narrative, and humanistic methods to start and build a dialogue alongside the men with whom I work. Men have to manage unique sociocultural stressors throughout their lives, including the balance between work and home life, raising children, responding to our own fathers being absent or ambivalent during our childhoods, and retirement. I believe that masculinity has an important place in the world and I thoroughly enjoy promoting a modern perspective.

Many men face stigma around seeking therapy due to societal norms and expectations. Toxic masculinity perpetuates the belief that men should be stoic, self-reliant, and unemotional, discouraging them from expressing vulnerability or seeking help. This leads to untreated mental health issues, emotional suppression, and unhealthy coping mechanisms. By challenging these stereotypes and promoting a culture of openness and support, I strive to help men feel comfortable seeking the care they need.

Associated with the mental health challenges that stem from emotional repression, harmful stereotyping, and other examples of "toxic masculinity."

As a cis man, and through my work with male clients, I seek to explore and interrogate what it means to "be a man" in today's society. I believe that you are "already a man," regardless of how one does or does not fit into societal stereotypes. I support others in the struggles that come with the attempts to live up to impossible standards and challenge the status quo, helping individuals become true to themselves, regardless of others' perceptions.

Guys, you deserve therapy, too. I have experience working with men's issues, including anxiety, depression, masculinity, identity issues, fatherhood, and learning how to better communicate your needs. Here, you'll find a space that honors your perspective and doesn't try to "fix" you, but instead helps you identify what you need and how to communicate it.