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Benefits of Group Therapy For Men
Group Therapy For Men’s Mental Health
Each day more, we understand the importance of talking about things we are going through right now or past experiences that caused an impact on our mental health today. For men, open up to a therapist alone can be difficult at first. Social roles men have to take on usually give them no space to speak freely about the issues they are going through. Group therapy can be this channel for men. Check in this article some ways group therapy can be beneficial for men:
Sense of Belonging
Most men who arrive in group therapy don't know that other guys like him are struggling with personal issues or are facing similar problems. Group therapy for men can create a sense of belonging for those men who think they have no support. It helps them realize they are not alone. Or even that, their problem is more common than they think, as other guys can be going through basically the same issues.
Self Expression of Feelings for Men
As mentioned before, men's social roles have made it hard for them to express their feelings genuinely. Many men struggle with anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues and don't know how and where they can open up to deal with these concerns. Group therapy can be a safe space where men can express, elaborate, and feel all the feelings they've been accumulating throughout life. And with that, help other guys too.
Network of Support for Men
Once men realize they are not alone, this can help them form a support network. Men group therapy can provide a space for guys to relate to other men's issues in healthier manners. They can speak freely and without any judgments, hear other guys and be heard in their concerns, and help one another elaborate complex feelings. Group therapy for men provides a community-like space for them.
Improve Interpersonal Communication
When you learn to talk about your feelings in group therapy, you become more prepared to communicate with other people in your life, like your partner, your family, your friends, your kids, etc. Group therapy helps you understand that it is ok to be vulnerable and open up to others you trust. Maybe you never knew how to approach and communicate your feelings or actions. Therapy groups can improve your interpersonal communication on many levels. Now that you know the benefits of group therapy for men, you can start searching for a group to attend to your needs. Therapy groups can happen online and be just as effective as in-person support group. Find the modality that best suits your interests. And do not be afraid to go out there to talk about your feelings and deal with mental health issues.
Begin Counseling & Experience the Benefits Group Therapy for Men
It’s not easy to start therapy or tap into being vulnerable and honest about what you may be struggling with. Group therapy may sound scary because you are sharing a therapeutic space with others but that is the greatest part of group therapy. You get to share your story and struggles, connect with other men that may be experiencing the same challenges you are, and also benefit from their experiences. Group therapy offers an exclusive, close-knit community of men to heal, grow, and learn about and become a more authentic version of themselves.
Group support for men or can help or you can begin getting the support you need through individual therapy by following these simple steps:
Reach out today and schedule a free consultation with me.
Begin meeting with me for group therapy, processing your emotions and learning new ways to communicate, discuss difficult emotions, and learn the best way for you to cope.
Feel the freedom that can come when you are able to connect with other men who are dealing with similar challenges
4 Reasons You Should Never Be Ashamed To Talk About Depression
Depression is often mentioned but never really discussed. It's a "condition," yet some don't realize it's legitimacy. This failure can lead those who live with it to question if this problem of theirs matters, thus leading to a feeling of guilt and shame. Here are four reasons why you should never be ashamed to talk about depression.
Depression Is More Common Than You May Think
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, about 16.2 million adults in the United States have felt depressed at least once in 2016, which is 6.7 percent of the adult population or 1 out of every 15 adults. And of this number, people ages 18 to 25 were the most represented group at about 11 percent.
These reported numbers show just how prevalent this illness is--and that's just what it is; depression is an illness. It's a result of chemical imbalances in addition to reactions to stressful life events and possibly other health problems (there could even be gene involvement for some).
Talking Helps; It May Be Essential to Recovery
The NIMH has on record that 63 percent of adults who experienced episodes of depression either saw a health professional (therapists, psychiatrists) only, were prescribed medication alone, or saw a health professional and were prescribed medication. Seeking help is the best thing you can do to combat depression. Unfortunately, some turn to substances for relief, though, this choice always backfires and ultimately comes at a hefty price, like with addiction and alienation (alcohol and recreational drugs can negatively impact relationships).
Of the 63 percent of adults who received professional treatment, according to NIMH, 13 percent of them saw a health professional, which is twice more than those who only received medication. 44 percent both received medication and saw a professional, which means 57 percent of all who received treatment talked about their problems with licensed individuals.
Talking helps find the root of the problem, and if help is sought, someone would be there to explore it with you.
Discussing Your Depression Helps End Stigmas
The National Alliance on Mental Illness believes that words and actions are necessary to end the bullying and discrimination affecting all people with mental illness. Taking these steps can lead to social change and the public rejection of stigmas--it proved successful for other movements, like with the Civil Rights Movement and LGBT activism.
That doesn't mean you have to go out and preach your story to make a change. Merely discussing it with a health professional, or even a friend, makes all the difference, for the afflicted as well as society.
Sharing Your Experience Could Help Others
This can be therapeutic for both sides. Sharing can relieve stress and improve mood while the person who listens may feel inspired to take a look at their own mental health or even share their own experiences.
Choosing to share is a personal choice, so you should never feel pressured or threatened to disclose your depression if you think it might not help your situation.
In the end, depression is an illness. And like other mental illnesses, it's not just black and white, but a sort of grey and sometimes includes blue and purple and red--to put it simply, it's complicated.
References
5 Important Things to Be A Stable Co-Parent
The reality of being a co-parent can be quite sobering but you can get through it if you focus on these 5 elements: Self-care, Level-Headed Support, Grieve Your Relationship, Make Home a Neutral Space, and Commit to Your Child's Happiness.
Self-Care
It is important for parents in a co-parenting relationship to not only nurture their children but to also nurture themselves. Self-care is the maintenance of your physical, mental, and inner self. How you treat yourself will speak to how you will be able to cope with the transition of your co-parenting relationship and life transitions in general. Terri DiMatteo, LPC of Open Door Therapy suggests that while it may seem counter-intuitive for divorcing parents to focus on themselves while in the throes of divorce or transitioning during to being a co-parent, in truth it is actually one of the healthiest things a divorcing parent can model for his or her child. By doing so, a parent is ‘saying’ (by example and in lifestyle) that during times of heightened stress and uncertainty it’s especially important to take care of oneself when managing the additional stress.
Level-Headed Support
We all require connections with friends or family to be a support through trials of life. When maneuvering through your co-parenting transition, separation, or divorce you may seek comfort and advice from friends and family. But all advice isn't good advice even from people we love. Sometimes confiding in others can make the situation worse because the people we have chosen to confide in are also emotionally invested in your situation and they can't always be objective. Seek a professional if you are looking to work through emotions, thoughts, and getting a better understanding of how to move forward.
Grieving Your Relationship
Although you want to make sure that your children are okay and provide them a healthy environment, it is important to grieve what you have lost. Whatever that loss is for you, (the relationship itself, loss of the family unit, loss of finances, your dreams connected to your ex-partner) healthy grieving will help you deal with the emotions related to that loss and adequate support will help you reorganize your life based on your learnings about your relationship, yourself, and your experiences. You will most likely develop new values and perspectives on life, and you will naturally begin to think of new horizons that you may never have thought about before.
Home: A Neutral Space
Your relationship with your ex can be in a constant state of chaos but you should always commit to having a safe, neutral environment for you and your child. This means being accountable to maintaining that space by:
making sure you don't speak ill of the dead (the old relationship that is)
not using your child as a confidant
encouraging your child to foster a relationship with their parent if they are comfortable doing so
respecting the child's relationship and love for their other parent
when they go low you go high-refrain from arguments and all-around nastiness especially in front of the child.
Committing to Your Child's Happiness
Committing to you child's happiness is the ultimate goal of your co-parenting experience. Your sacrifices to maintain control of emotions and creating a neutral, safe space for them is what they will remember in the end. Pay attention to your child's ques regarding how they are handling the transition and seek additional support or help if they are having an especially hard time adjusting. Stay the course, because your character and actions DO matter...and because the children are always watching. The time, thoughts, patience, laughter, fun, and love that you share with your child will have the most meaning.
References:
1. Hart, Julie (2016, February 2). Grieving When Your Relationship Ends: The 3 Important Phases. The Hart Centre. Retrieved from http://thehartcentre.com.au/grieving-when-your-relationship-ends-the-3-important-phases/
2. University of Washington. (n.d). Healthy grieving. Retrieved from https://www.washington.edu/counseling/resources/resources-for-students/healthy-grieving/
3.Philyaw, D.,Thomas, M.D. (2013) Co-Parenting 101: Helping Your Kids Thrive in Two Households after Divorce. Oakland, CA: New Harbinger.
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Today many people were faced with coming to terms with the outcome of the presidential election. It caused a heighten sense of fear, angst, and distrust for some. For others, it caused a sigh of relief because they feel that with this candidate their fears will be heard and their dreams will be realized. If this election has caused fear and uncertainty it is best that you use your support system to air your grievances. It is healthy to start an ongoing dialogue about how we feel and our thoughts on if our needs are getting met by the people that are placed in office to propel our progress as a nation.
This is also the time to connect with others that do not share your views. We learn the most when we open our hearts and minds and allow our humanity instead of fear lead the conversation. I hope that we take this time to learn more about each other and lean on each other for support.