Counseling Men: Treatment Recommendations From Australian Men’s Therapists

Abstract

Many of the contemporary treatment recommendations and guides for adapting therapy for men originates from the context of the United States. This qualitative study invited 15 Australian therapists, who advertised themselves as working with men, to describe their recommendations for male-friendly counseling. Three themes and 14 subthemes were identified, each explained from an understanding of their male client group's experiences and common male norms. The themes included ensuring a safe space, to enact masculinityinformed respect, and to enhance client awareness and motivation. Therapists' suggestions for working with Australian men were congruent with recommendations in the existing literature, however variations were noted in how traditionally masculine or feminineconsistent their emphasis was.

Challenges working with men: Australian therapists' perspectives

“…This suggests that while many therapists recognize the potential for men presenting to therapy as reluctant, ambivalent, hostile, and/or defensive, the strategies used by the therapist in working to overcome these can, at least in part, prove influential in the ongoing therapeutic relationship. This supports work espousing the importance of therapists working with men to collaboratively support therapeutic change through person‐centered treatment hinged on the co‐construction of goals and treatment focus and male client's agency in the therapeutic process (Beel et al, 2020; Mahalik et al, 2012; Seidler, Rice, Ogrodniczuk, et al, 2018).…”

“…Mental health professionals have also been shown to invoke traditional masculinity socialization in explaining several challenging aspects thought to be emblematic of many men's presentation to therapy, such as late initiations to treatment at the point of crisis alongside expectations for rapid improvement (Stiawa et al, 2020). The field has focused on providing recommendations for overcoming these challenges, including an emphasis on collaboration and autonomy, use of strength‐based interventions, and male‐specific language (Beel et al, 2020; Mahalik et al, 2012; Seidler, Rice, Oliffe, et al, 2018). However, these recommendations demand approaches to understanding and addressing (rather than simply naming) “therapy interfering” behaviors.…”

“…However, these recommendations demand approaches to understanding and addressing (rather than simply naming) “therapy interfering” behaviors. Indeed, the majority of suggestions for working with men stem from individual case studies narrated by clinician experts or specialists in the area (e.g., American Psychological Association Boys and Men Guidelines Group, 2018; Beel et al, 2020; Carr & West, 2013; Deering & Gannon, 2005; Mahalik, 2020; Vasquez, 2006).…”

“…This will build on previous literature, alongside ensuring future guidelines can respond directly to these challenges to upskill the practitioner workforce more broadly. This can also inform targeted professional development programs to address any competency needs where possible, and aid in reshaping therapeutic processes and psychological services with men in mind (Beel et al, 2020; Seidler et al, 2019).…”

Pilot evaluation of the men in mind training program for mental health practitioners.

“…Past research makes specific recommendations for female practitioners around engaging men (Silver et al, 2018; Sweet, 2012), and our prior work uncovered the experience of particular challenges among female practitioners when working with male clients (Seidler, Wilson, Trail, et al, 2021). Nonetheless, independent of sex differences, practitioners have described difficulties in calibrating their therapeutic approach to appropriately fit the needs of men (Beel et al, 2020; Mahalik et al, 2012). Men in Mind may represent a viable opportunity to upskill mental health practitioners in engaging a large proportion of their client base via methods that work with rather than around men’s masculinities.…”