Men’s Issues Counselling & Therapy North Vancouver, BC

From my experience as a male counsellor in North Vancouver, BC giving counselling to men from all walks of life across BC and Canada I have noticed that guys often feel more comfortable with a male therapist. Many guys feel that there are some things that only another man can understand, such as the relationship between father and son.

Fathers and sons all too often get into a pattern of not talking about what is bothering them in their relationship with each other. They keep silent and turn their focus on external goals. A sense of distance and feelings of emptiness can come up over time, and also regret from not addressing (or knowing how to) broach the subject causing a sense of emptiness from the distance in the relationship. This is just one of the many examples of why men tend to want a male counsellor so they feel more understood from real lived experience.

Some other common challenges that guys come to get help with are for greater self-understanding, managing anger, and dealing with past emotional baggage from past experiences that still affects them in the present in see things, feel and react. What would it be like to be able to understand and manage anger better, to learn how to relate in a healthier and more authentic way with the people you care about? The elephant in the room for many men is ‘how do I deal with my own issues so that I can actualize my potential, be more confident, and have healthy relationships? And, how do I not pass my issues on to my children or negatively impact the people I love’.

Living a life based on your beliefs and needs in the present instead of the past where you feel authentic compassion for yourself and others can seem like a thousand pounds off your shoulders. You no longer need to be a martyr in your life. What would it feel like to be seen, heard, understood, cared about, and helped? Do you need to be an island any more? Was it necessary in the past? Is it needed now, or can you break out of your past protective shell into a better life?

Everyone is affected by negative past experiences. It seems that many men do not reach out for help because they do not think it’s possible to be helped, or they don’t feel comfortable with a female therapist, or even just the idea of therapy as it’s portrayed in the movies is not appealing. What many men have found helpful at my practice is an approach that is tailored for each individual guy to connect with and repair the common human aspects that we all share in emotion, tendencies of the mind, and limiting beliefs that keep us in a rut.

I see the unique needs and strengths of each of the fellow men I help. For some, we might focus on skills, and others we may delve into the past and bridge that to what you are wanting your experience to be now and in the future. A future focus can help give direction to what you want instead of only fixing ‘old’ problems. A helpful way to see counselling is as personal growth. How can you improve your life? If life is a sport, would you seek out the assistance of a specialist to give you an edge for your game? Many men find this reframe helpful as it makes the goal enhancing life instead of only fixing problems.

Are You Facing Any of These Issues?

• Anxiety or depression
• Trauma
• Relationship troubles
• Masculinity-related issues
• Separation or divorce recovery
• Difficulties with anger management and communication skills.

If you are facing any of these challenges, I can help you discover a more satisfying life. With my specialized experience and training, I can work with you to gain insight into your emotional needs and relationship patterns. Together we can begin the process of developing healthier coping strategies so that you can live a life in alignment with your values and desires.

When it comes to counselling for men, there is no ‘one size fits all’ approach. Every man has a unique set of needs and strengths, which is why it’s important to find the right counsellor who can meet your individual requirements. At Wellspring Counselling, I strive to provide a safe, non-judgmental environment in which you can explore your thoughts and feelings honestly and openly.

Men can benefit greatly from therapy and counselling

Society has a way of convincing men that their feelings, worries and fears are not valid or important. It even goes so far as to suggest that reaching out for help is a sign of weakness. This simply isn’t true – in fact, seeking out professional assistance can be a sign of strength and determination.

Men can benefit greatly from counselling and therapy as they’re able to strengthen their understanding of their needs, feelings and relationships. Through therapy, men can also explore the underlying causes of their distress and develop healthier coping strategies to improve their lives going forward.

By understanding themselves in a deeper way, men can:

• develop clarity in their life and relationships
• form more fulfilling connections
• enhance their problem-solving skills
• express themselves effectively and improve their communication with others
• experience less anxiety and stress.
• improve their self-esteem and confidence
• increase their emotional intelligence
• become more emotionally stable

Why EMDR treatment works and is Especially Effective for Male Clients?

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR) is an integrative psychotherapy approach that has been proven to be effective for the treatment of trauma. EMDR utilizes bilateral stimulation of the brain in order to “unlock” stored traumatic memories or experiences which are causing distress in your current life. By re-experiencing and reprocessing the traumatic memory, EMDR helps to reduce or eliminate related symptoms.

EMDR is especially effective for male clients as research shows that men tend to be more visual than women when it comes to recalling memories. As such, allowing them to “see” their trauma can be a powerful way of unlocking and processing the memory in order to gain relief from their symptoms. EMDR also helps men by allowing them to process their experiences at a safe, controlled pace.

At Wellspring Counselling, I am trained in EMDR treatment and would be more than happy to discuss this further with you if you believe it might be an appropriate choice for your unique situation.

Schedule an Online Appointment

If you live in or around North Vancouver, BC and are ready to take the next step, I encourage you to schedule an online appointment with me. During our session, we will be able to discuss your goals in therapy, review any questions or concerns you may have and decide on a course of treatment that is best suited for you.

No matter what challenges you are facing, I am here to help.

Book an appointment here.