Counseling for Men
Mental Health Counseling for Men Overcoming Depression, Burnout,
OCD and Relationship Problems
Men are facing a mental health crisis in the United States. According to a 2021 report by the National Institute of Mental Health, while rates of anxiety may be slightly lower in men than women, men have higher rates of depression and suicidal ideation.
Despite this, only 40% of men with a mental illness receive treatment in a given year, compared to 52% of women. These statistics point to a critical need for mental health services specifically tailored to address the unique challenges men face.
At Sweetgrass Therapy, our licensed therapists provide a safe and supportive space for men to explore their emotional well-being and develop healthy coping skills. We understand the societal pressures men often experience and the challenges these pressures can create. Through confidential, evidence-based therapy, we can help you navigate life's difficulties and build resilience.
Why Men Start Counseling
Work & Career Challenges
The demands of your job might leave you feeling constantly on edge and struggling to concentrate. Perhaps you find yourself snapping easily at colleagues or bringing work stress home, impacting your relationships and personal life. Outpatient therapy can equip you with the tools you need to manage these feelings and achieve a better work-life balance.
Relationship Difficulties
You could be feeling increasingly isolated from loved ones, experiencing more frequent arguments with your partner, or having difficulty expressing your emotions effectively. This can lead to feelings of loneliness and frustration. Therapy can help you explore healthier communication styles and develop coping mechanisms to navigate conflict in a more constructive way.
Coping with Trauma or Loss
Perhaps you're experiencing symptoms like nightmares or difficulty trusting others, signs that a past event is still affecting you in the present. Therapy can provide a safe and confidential space to process these experiences, develop healthy coping mechanisms, and rebuild a sense of security.
Major Life Transitions
Perhaps you're feeling anxious about the future, questioning your life choices. Or, you’ve just gone through a significant change like a divorce, relationship ending, or other difficult time. And even positive changes can elicit strong emotions or and introduce a type of stress. Therapy can provide a safe space for you to explore your feelings, develop tools to manage stress during transition, and navigate these changes in a positive way.
Substance Use & Unhealthy Habits
Have you noticed an increase in your use of alcohol or drugs? Are you hiding your substance use from loved ones or neglecting your responsibilities because of it? Or maybe you’re relying on other distractions to soothe yourself and relax. Therapy can address the underlying causes of your substance use and provide support for developing healthy ways to manage stress and difficult emotions.
Depression and Anxiety
Depression is more than feeling "down" or melancholy. It's the experience persistent sadness, hopelessness, and negative thought patterns. There are physical symptoms such as sleep problems, appetite changes. Suicidal thoughts or a desire to "disappear" are common. Anxiety is also more than “worrying” because it interferes with daily life. It also causes physical complaints like stomach upset, insomnia, heart palpitations, and panic attacks.
How Therapy Helps Men
Stronger, Healthier Relationships
Therapy can equip men with the tools they need to build and maintain strong connections with partners, friends, and family. You'll learn to communicate more effectively, express your emotions in a healthy way, and navigate conflict with greater understanding. This can lead to deeper intimacy, improved trust, and a stronger sense of belonging in your relationships.
Enhanced Emotional Intelligence
Therapy can help men develop a deeper understanding of their own emotions and the emotions of others. You'll learn to identify triggers, manage stress in healthier ways, and build resilience. This emotional intelligence will translate into greater self-awareness, improved decision-making, and a stronger ability to handle life's challenges.
Increased Confidence and Self-Esteem
Through therapy, men can address negative self-talk and limiting beliefs that may be holding them back. You'll develop a stronger sense of self-worth, identify your strengths, and set realistic goals. This newfound confidence can empower you to pursue your passions, take on new challenges, and live a more fulfilling life.
Our Approach To Counseling Men
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We understand that many men have experienced trauma in their lives, whether big or small. This approach acknowledges this and creates a safe space to explore the impact of those experiences. We'll help you develop healthy coping mechanisms and move forward in a positive way.
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This approach focuses on the questions that shape our lives, such as purpose and meaning. It can be particularly helpful for men who are struggling with issues of identity, career direction, or feelings of isolation. Through therapy, you can explore these questions and develop a deeper sense of purpose and fulfillment.
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We utilize approaches that have been scientifically proven to be effective in treating a wide range of mental health concerns. This means we use methods with strong track records of success, ensuring you receive the most effective support available.
Starting Counseling is Simple
Fill out the New Client Form
It only takes a minute & starts the new client on-boarding process. We make it easy!
Schedule Your 1st Session
Our team will reach out ASAP to schedule the first session with your counselor.
Celebrate Your Growth
Enjoy lasting change! The Sweetgrass Way is all about your enduring health and happiness.
Blogs for Men’s Mental Health
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Strong, Yet Silenced: A Man's Guide to Battling Depression
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Affair Recovery: 3 Questions to Ask Each Partner
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From Inner Critic to Inner Champion: Practical Strategies to Boost Confidence
What’s holding you back from getting help for your personal goals?
▲ Time Constraints - “I don’t really have the time”
The responsibilities of modern life are often demanding and time consuming. And it's true that therapy also takes some investment of time. However, committing to a weekly counseling session might not be as burdensome as you think. In fact, most clients experience the time as passing quickly and covering a lot of ground in regard to goals and coping skills.
Additionally, you can also attend therapy via our secure Telehealth platform. It might be more convenient to attend weekly sessions during your lunch break, or comfort of home.
▲ Cost of Services - “I’m not sure my insurance even covers this”
Thankfully, most insurance plans include mental healthcare as a covered service. Depending on your plan, counseling may only cost as much as a regular copay for an office visit. Our office will research your insurance coverage once you onboard as a new client. So, you'll have an accurate estimate for what therapy will cost per visit. If you have questions about insurance, you can visit out Fees & Insurance page here.
▲ Stigma - “Going to counseling means I can’t handle my problems”
Seeking professional help doesn't mean that you are weak or a failure. It's actually a sign of resilience and courage to start therapy. Especially in the years immediately after the pandemic, adults are experiencing increased anxiety, depression and other issues. The acute stress and consequences of this global event is something that every person has been dealing with. It's only natural that you may find yourself needing more support.
▲ Fear of Opening Up - “It’s hard for me to trust...Being vulnerable is difficult”
Being hesitant to share about sensitive emotions, difficult thoughts, and negative experiences is a completely normal response to starting counseling. It takes a bit of time to build trust with a brand-new therapist, and we encourage you to be open about any hesitation, fears, or worries about being open with them. Our counselors are trained to be non-judgmental and will take your lead. They will not prod or cross your boundaries. Additionally, you can do effective work in counseling without sharing what you may consider your "deepest secrets". Take it one step at a time.
FAQs
❋ Can counseling sessions be online?
Yes. You may meet with your counselor via an online video call, instead of coming into the office. The Telehealth service we use is a secure online platform that is easily accessible. You can meet exclusively with your therapist online, or have a mix of in-person and Telehealth sessions. This is totally up to you and your unique needs.
❋ How long do I need to be in therapy?
The length of therapy can vary based on individual needs and goals. Some people may find that a few months of therapy is enough, while others may benefit from ongoing sessions over a longer period of time. Everyone is different, and each person's life has a variety of factors that will influence the course of treatment. We encourage clients to talk to their counselor about the frequency of meetings, how best to use time between sessions, and set time to measure progress. This can all help you get a better sense of how therapy is working for you over time. And it might help you understand when you want to reduce the frequency of sessions, terminate completely, or continue.
❋ Will insurance cover the cost of counseling?
Yes. Health insurance coverage includes mental health services such as outpatient counseling from Sweetgrass Therapy. In some cases, your therapy visits may only be cost of a copay. Our office will research your insurance coverage and get a "quote of benefits" for counseling for you before the first session. In this way, you can understand how to use your health insurance for counseling.
Finally, we're in-network with 3 major insurance companies - Aetna and BlueCross BlueShield.
❋ Will my therapist keep my information private & confidential?
Yes, mental health professionals are bound by confidentiality laws and are ethically obligated to keep your information private. However, there are some exceptions to this rule, such as if you pose a danger to yourself or others.
❋ What are my counselors qualifications and background?
Every therapist in our group has a Master's degree in Marriage & Family Therapy. This degree means that we are all trained in general mental health treatment (anxiety, depression, etc) and relationships (couples, families, groups). In addition to learning theory, our therapists have professional experience (client work) that was obtained during the education progress.
And more importantly, we’ve helped hundreds of clients work through mental health and relationship issues.
Our therapists are all licensed to practice mental health care in the state of Illinois. MFT licenses require continued education on a 2 year renewal cycle.
You may also ask your therapist about other parts of their background and qualifications. You may be interested to learn more about their professional experience in other fields or roles!
