SNEAK PEEK: MEN'S MENTAL HEALTH

One thing I love about this work is that no two clients are the same. I have the privilege of working with so many individuals throughout my practice, including men, and there seems to be a stereotype that men don't talk about their feelings, don't participate in therapy, or aren't interested in self-improvement. That honestly has not been my experience at all!

What I've found is that most men have plenty to say once they're in a space that they know they can trust. How could vulnerability exist in an environment that feels anything but safe? That's why my approach is never one-size-fits-all. I truly believe therapy should never feel like you are forcing or following a rigid format. We create a treatment plan based on your needs and goals—I often refer to this as creating the blueprint. Every person walks in with a different story, different strengths, different goals, and different life experiences. My job is to get to know the person in front of me and build from there, including looking at the most appropriate modality of therapy. Yes, some modalities of therapy require structure and that does indeed happen throughout treatment, but I am never going to sit down with you with a checklist.

One of the most rewarding parts of working with men is watching them realize they don't have to carry their emotions silently. Once trust is established, the journey can be incredibly meaningful.

And here's the thing... vulnerability doesn't always look the way people think it does in therapy. Sometimes it's talking about trauma for the first time. Sometimes it's admitting you're struggling and saying that out loud. Sometimes it's setting a boundary or simply showing up to therapy when every part of you wants to cancel-All of that is okay.

June is Men's Mental Health Month so let’s benefit from this friendly reminder that men deserve spaces where they can be honest, human, and supported without having to prove or suppress a damn thing. To the men who have trusted me with their stories over the years: thank you.

Kindly,

Julie