“Opening a therapy practice that only works with men is a horrible idea.”

— My recently fired business coach

My business coach isn’t wrong—at least not from a numbers standpoint. Men are not a lucrative population to build your therapy business around. We are wayyy less likely to go to therapy than women (CDC, 2019). When we do go, ~25% of us won’t come back after the first session AND ~50% of us will drop out before therapy concludes (Seidler, 2021).

A GIF of Jim Halpert from "The Office" nodding and telling Kevin Malone, "You're right," conveying agreement and validation. This can be related to affirming and supportive communication in mental health therapy.

But my former business coach is missing the point.

- Men die by suicide at a rate almost four times higher than women (CDC, 2022).
- Men are more likely than women to use almost all types of illicit drugs to cope with mental health problems (SAMHSA, 2016).
- Men are lonelier now than ever- 15% of men say they have no close friends (ASC, 2023).

It’s not about business. It’s about need.

And I believe that men are struggling (as a man, I know I certainly have struggled at times). And I believe that the best person to help a man is another man.

“Dude, I’m here for a list, not your life story.”

Okay okay, here it is—ten compelling reasons why men benefit from seeing a male therapist:

1. Shared Experiences

Men face unique challenges and societal pressures that can be difficult for someone who hasn’t experienced them to fully understand. A male therapist can relate to these experiences on a personal level, creating a deeper sense of understanding.

A meme of three Spider-Men pointing at each other, symbolizing mutual recognition and understanding. This can relate to the importance of identifying shared experiences and perspectives in men's mental health therapy.

2. Sensitive Topics

Sexual insecurity? Performance anxiety? Past mistakes that you regret on the daily?

There are some topics that are just more comfortable to talk to another man about. A great male therapist is going to understand these sensitive topics and create a judgement free space to work through them.

3. Breaking Stereotypes

Two men talking about feelings? Society isn’t ready.

We’ve been discouraged our whole lives from expressing vulnerability and seeking help. Seeing a male therapist who is not only willing to talk about emotions but encourages it can be incredibly powerful. Re-invent what men are supposed to be.

GIF of Will Ferrell in "Anchorman" dramatically crying in a glass case, humorously depicting intense emotional expression. This can illustrate the significance of acknowledging and addressing emotions in men's mental health therapy.

4. Positive Male Figure

Not everyone’s had the good fortune of having a positive male figure in their life. A male therapist can serve as a positive model for emotional health and well-being. By demonstrating a healthy lifestyle and healthy emotional expression, they can provide a blueprint for male clients to follow.

5. Body Image and Fitness

A recent study in Australia showed 45% of men have body image dissatisfaction. That’s 3x’s higher than it was 25 years ago (VSG, 2022). Men are feeling the increasing pressure of having to look like an IG model. It’s exhausting. A male therapist can relate to that pressure and help you develop a healthier relationship with your body and fitness goals.

6. Understanding Dating as a Man

Dating as a man is tougher than it’s ever been. In fact, half of adult men in the U.S. say dating is harder than it’s ever been (Pew Research, 2020). And it sucks. Many men are isolated and feeling hopeless. A qualified male therapist is going to better understand the complexities and challenges that face men in the dating pool.

7. Understanding Relationships Roles

It’s clear that men serve different roles in romantic relationships than women. These roles can come with an immense amount of pressure. A male therapist is going to understand these pressures and help you navigate them.

8. Dealing with Rejection

Rejection, whether in personal relationships or professional endeavors, hits hard. Men are taught to “toughen up” and not show how rejection affects them. Any decent male therapist is going to help you throw out that notion. Therapy provides a safe space to explore feelings of hurt and offers strategies to build resilience and self-worth.

9. Addressing Identity and Masculinity

What does it mean to be a man in today’s world? I can tell you one thing, its different than it was 10 years ago. And it’s WAY different than it was 100 years ago. A male therapist can help you develop healthy masculinity and create a more authentic sense of self.

10. Male Therapists are Awesome

Okay, I’m biased. But in general male therapists aren’t afraid to go against the norm. Despite a lot of us being discouraged from friends and family, we entered a non-lucrative field that is 76% women. We think outside the box. We bring fresh perspectives. And we do what our heart tells us.