MALE-SENSITIVE COUNSELLING: Perspectives and skills training to enhance engagement and outcomes.

The Australian Psychological Society and American Psychological Association have produced guidelines for working with men and boys. Unfortunately, few training opportunities exist for working specifically with men.

Males make up approximately 30% of therapy clients and when they do attend, it’s not uncommon for them to struggle to engage with the counselling process. If attending under pressure, they may present with overt resistance and/or aggression.

Many therapists feel underprepared to work with men and do not recognize how ‘therapy-as-usual’ can violate some models norms of traditional manhood.  For example, counselling processes such as focusing on problems or even exploring feelings can invoke shame and defensiveness in some men and damage the therapeutic connection.

Male-friendly therapists adapt their counselling to enhance treatment engagement and effectiveness with men.  This adaptation stems from a theoretically informed understanding about men and masculinities, while equally recognizing differences between men.  Male-friendly therapists are committed to reducing their own personal and professional biases and prejudices, and to utilise 

strategies that are more congruent with men’s socialization, their values, and communication preferences as required.

This training will address the fundamental knowledge, attitudes, and skills to effectively engage men. It is based in research from international literature and also from qualitative interviews with Australia’s own male-friendly therapists who practice from a diverse range of therapeutic modalities.

Feedback for Nathan’s recent training presentations:

“Very helpful to me. Ironically shows me my own biases that are definitely harmful for male therapy. But is also very in-depth about strategies and ways to approach men differently. That embraces their maleness rather than degrading it. Very, very helpful for anyone counselling men.”

“Despite being a man myself, I was unaware of how I may hinder the benefits of counselling to my male clients. This has enabled me to see specific areas I can address to assist male clients be less intimidated by the counselling process as well as understand how clients need to have their masculinity ‘protected’ in each of the phases of counselling. Even during the training, I was thinking of how helpful this will be for specific couples that are struggling to understand each other and respond to each other in postie ways. I enjoyed the methodical, step-by step nature of this training. Thanks Nathan!”

“It has been helpful to understand the differences in men’s counselling. It I also good to see the importance in engaging men in counselling and how the counsellor relates to the male client can deter men from attending counselling. Men’s needs in counselling are different and I now know how important it is to be sensitive to the needs and difference in men as opposed to women.”

“The information and counselling framework I gained by attending this workshop have had an enormous impact and benefit within my counselling practice. As I have shared some of the concepts with my male clients, the principles have really resonated with them. I also feel like my approach is now more informed, and helpful to my clients.”

“Nathan's workshop is one of the best professional development events that I have attended. I do not hesitate to recommend it.”