You may be dissatisfied with your career, relationships and your inability to achieve goals and live the life you desire. Perhaps you are looking for a male therapist who understands the pressure and pain you feel.
Professionally you have the career and job you have been seeking. You are responsible for many people and projects at work. You are also responsible for taking care of your family; you may even provide the primary source of income that supports your spouse and children. In short, you have a lot going on which leaves very little time for self care or doing the things outside of work and family that you find interesting and engaging.
It feels overwhelming. You may even begin to resent your work and family which results in you feeling guilt and shame. It’s possible that you may be experiencing some form of depression or anxiety. You are left wondering what to do and where to turn. Men typically don’t talk with each other about these kinds of issues and yet we yearn for it.
You feel stuck and your life seems stagnant. You wonder if this is as good as it gets…
For most of your entire life, you had a vision of how your life would turn it. Perhaps that life included a successful career, family, hobbies, meaningful relationships. Or maybe it included a life of adventure, thrill seeking, travel, and checking those items off on your bucket list. But as you take stock of your life and your look around at your peers, you feel totally and completely stuck. Stagnant. This is not how you envisioned your life turning out. And here you are. You wonder is this really it, is this really what life will be like for the next 40 or 50 years. You yearn for more.
As the spouse or partner, the man in your life does not seem present or engaged.
There was a time in your life when you had a vibrant, close relationship with your husband, boyfriend, partner. As the years have passed, he seems more and more distant and disconnected from you and/or your children. Perhaps he struggles with managing anger or coping with depression. You wonder what it’s going to take to get him and your relationship back on track. Perhaps you have tried counseling or therapy before with limited success or maybe he’s completely resistant to the idea of counseling or therapy like many men are. There is part of you that still believes in him and your relationship and that he has the capacity to right this ship.
As a Cincinnati, OH based mental health counseling practice, Launch Point Counseling provides effective counseling and therapy services for men and support for their partners.
Common mental health issues presented in men’s counseling and therapy
Some of the more common mental health and phase of life issues that emerge for men include:
Poor communication. Some men have difficulty verbalizing or articulating their desires, needs, struggles and emotions to the people in their life. For the men who struggle in this area, you weren’t necessarily taught how to do this as a child or teenager. In men’s counseling and therapy, we will spend time exploring this stuck point and how to effectively communicate to the people in your life who matter.
Relationship conflict. Do you find that you often fight with your parents, siblings, partner or children? Do you feel guilt or shame after engaging in a conflict that was more explosive than you had intended. Conflict is completely normal and healthy but how you go about engaging in the conflict is the challenge. In men’s counseling and therapy, we will explore to how navigate conflict effectively so that you feel heard, you can listen effectively and resolve whatever the issue may be.
Difficulty with parenting. As a father, are you falling short of your own expectations? Some men have difficulty being the parent they envisioned before their children ever came into the world. In other cases, men lack enjoyment in their parenting experience. In men’s counseling and therapy, we can explore what is getting in the way of you being the parent you’ve always wanted to be.
Dissatisfaction with work. Many men lack enjoyment, purpose, meaning and satisfaction in their work experiences. This can happen for a variety of reasons including the the job role, the industry, the work culture, a terrible boss or a poor fit with the work itself. In men’s counseling and therapy, we will take a closer look at what the root cause is and how to effectively resolve it so that you can get back to being productive.
Health concerns (i.e. poor diet, lack of exercise, etc.) When men begin to feel overwhelmed or stressed, physical health is often the first priority to go. In fact, it’s quite easy to ignore our physical well being despite the importance and connection between our physical and mental well being. In men’s counseling and therapy, we will take time to understand what you may have neglected and how to re-incorporate your physical health as a priority in your daily living.
Difficulty with expressing emotion. Do you have trouble finding words to explain how you feel or why you may be reacting in a certain way? The language of emotion is complex and many of us never learned how to describe how we feel, nor were we given the space to feel. Traditionally, boys and men have been told what emotions are safe to express. In men’s counseling and therapy, we will learn the language of emotion and practice how to communicate this to ourselves and those around us.
Depression. Have you experienced any of the following: social isolation or withdrawal, impaired sleep, diminished self esteem or self worth, excessive crying, negative self talk, impaired focus or agitation? If so, you may be experiencing some of depression. Men who experience depression often do so in isolation and silence. In men’s counseling and therapy, we will provide you the space to explore this depression in a non-threatening manner but also provide a pathway forward.
Anxiety. Have you experienced any of the following: excessive worry, restlessness, impaired concentration, irritability, fear or tension? If so, you may be experiencing some form of anxiety. In men’s counseling and therapy, we will help you better understand your anxiety including whether it’s a response to an internal or external stimulus and how to cope more effectively.
Difficulty with asking for help. Many men have been raised in environments in which you are expected to be independent, solve problems, make decisions and move forward. Unfortunately the notion of asking for help is not seen as an independent decision but rather one of dependence. In men’s counseling and therapy, we will explore what has prevented you from asking for help but also debunk this myth that seeking help means that you are “weak” or“incapable”.
Major transitions and unpredictable experiences (i.e. death, divorce, retirement, etc.) As men, we encounter many life transitions that can be challenging, unpredictable and difficult to navigate. Some of these might include the death of a spouse or loved one, an affair, divorce, job loss or job change. Without a roadmap or plan to navigate these transitions, it can feel confusing, overwhelming or even exhausting. In men’s counseling and therapy, we will explore what brought about the transition, how to effectively move through it and come out a healthier person on the other side.
Substance use. Have you ever used alcohol or drugs as a way to cope with pain? Substance use is often an easy and available way to manage experiences and emotions that seem threatening. Unfortunately substance use enables you to avoid the problem which can exacerbate or complicate the issue even further. In men’s counseling and therapy, we do not view substance use as problem inherent to who you are but rather a response to whatever is going on in your life. Depending upon the severity of your substance use, we will develop a plan to navigate it.
If you recognize any of these issues in either yourself or partner, consider scheduling a counseling appointment with Launch Point Counseling to discuss. We are located in Cincinnati, OH. We will spend some time exploring your observations, what you hope to get out of counseling and therapy and how we can help.
Counseling and therapy can help men with communication, the quality of relationships, parenting, having purpose in their work, physical health, expressing emotion and improved productivity.
At Launch Point Counseling, we have worked with a variety of men in and around the city of Cincinnati, OH. Through a very relaxed, welcoming environment, we strive to build a trusting, supportive relationship with the men who seek out counseling and therapy. This relationship, known as the therapeutic relationship, empowers the counselor and the man to explore the challenges, problems and concerns that seem to be getting in the way of progress and goals. There are a variety of different types of counseling but at Launch Point Counseling, we utilize four primary approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Client Centered Therapy, Family Systems Therapy and Solution Focused Therapy. Drawing on these four approaches, we work with men and their partners to help them develop greater insight, improved self awareness, coping skills, ability to manage and regulate emotion and a belief in oneself that can lead to success.
You can expect to feel support and an opportunity to achieve progress in men’s counseling
If you are ready to take the first step in changing your life and finding your own “Launch Point”, below is what you can expect when you come to men’s counseling:
Space to explore the “stuff” that continues to hold you back. It’s time to finally get this stuff off your chest.
Opportunity to improve your communication skill at work, at home and with the people you care about.
Improved focus and concentration so that you can get stuff done.
Tools to navigate the roadblocks and obstacles that prevent you from getting from Point A to Point B.
Opportunity to set goals in your personal and professional life, so that you can feel successful and accomplished on your OWN terms.
Concrete, solution focused strategies so that you can be a better husband, partner, dad, son, brother—you name the role and we will get you moving in the right direction.
And lastly and most importantly, space that is completely and totally yours. It is your time to explore your issues on your terms.
We are here to help you live a life that feels purposeful and productive.
As a man who is having difficulty managing it all or feels complete stuck and stagnant, it is important to recognize that you do not have to travel this path alone. Men historically have not been encouraged to explore these issues on a deeper level with one other. In fact, in some cases we are actively discouraged from speaking with each other let alone doing counseling or therapy. Men’s counseling, also known as men’s therapy, gives us the space to begin to peel back the layers of some of these issues and concerns at a pace that works for you. As our work together evolves, you will develop more self awareness, identify cognitive and behavioral changes you want to make, and then we will put those changes into action TOGETHER. Men’s counseling is very much a partnership between you and the counselor. If you are located in a local Cincinnati community, consider scheduling that a counseling appointment with Launch Point Counseling.
You are skeptical if men’s therapy will help you overcome your personal struggle.
If you have never experienced counseling before, it is very common to be unsure, nervous or even skeptical. At Launch Point Counseling in Cincinnati, OH, we have worked with many men who weren’t entirely sure if counseling would be a good fit. Some of the more common questions or concerns we receive are listed below:
I have a really busy work schedule. I don’t know that I have enough time for men’s counseling.
At Launch Point Counseling in Cincinnati, OH, we recognize that in this modern, global world, we are busier than ever. There are numerous obligations, forms of media and people to distract us. If you find that your work performance, relationships or even self esteem are suffering, one of hour counseling a week is a small investment of time to help you take a deep breath and identify a path to help you move forward.
As a man, I’m used to fixing things on my own. I’m not sure that I need men’s therapy.
Counseling is not meant to create dependence; in fact it’s the opposite! The goal of counseling is to equip you with the tools and skills to overcome the obstacles that are in the way of your success. We are here to support that process but you are the one making the changes and putting in the work to see results. While you may not be comfortable asking for help, the goal is to help you feel and become more independent.
I’m worried about the cost of men’s therapy. Is it even worth it?
The value of counseling may depend upon how much you value your well being, your productivity and the quality of your relationships. If these areas are suffering, the money you spend for counseling is an investment in you. At Launch Point Counseling in Cincinnati, OH, we can also create a plan that is a fit for your budget. While many folks attend weekly, some decide to step down to biweekly as they are making progress and accomplishing their goals.
Are we just going to sit there and talk? What does men’s counseling actually look like?
Counseling can look very different from client to client, therapist to therapist. But in general, the early stages of counseling include a lot of information gathering and relationship building. The relationship between client and counselor is at the core of this process. At Launch Point Counseling in Cincinnati, OH, we will eventually transition into goal setting and treatment planning, so that we have a path forward. It is imperative that we continue to check in with each other to ensure that you are making progress and getting value out of your counseling experience.
You may be interested in our blog posts about men’s mental health
As a male therapist, I am committed to helping men navigate a wide of range of issues including parenting, relationships, depression, anxiety, career transition, divorce, infidelity and more. On my mental health blog, I frequently discuss men’s health issues. Some of my blog posts may interest you and are listed below.
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Other Services at Launch Point Counseling in Cincinnati, OH
Counseling and therapy for men and support for partners isn’t the only service that we offer at the Cincinnati, OH location. Other mental health services at Launch Point Counseling include teen counseling, counseling for young adults, anxiety counseling and depression counseling.