Therapy for Men: How to Break Free from the Stigma and Get Support

Mental health awareness has grown tremendously in recent years—but despite this progress, men still seek therapy at much lower rates than women. According to data from the CDC, only 13.4% of men received mental health treatment in the past year, compared to 24.7% of women. This gap exists despite growing access to therapy, online mental health tools, and public conversations around emotional well-being.

So why do men avoid therapy—and what can be done about it?

The Emotional Messages Men Are Taught

From a young age, many boys are taught to equate masculinity with stoicism, emotional control, and toughness. Phrases like “man up,” “don’t cry,” and “be strong” become part of a cultural script that suggests vulnerability is weakness.

While women are often encouraged to express emotions and seek help, men are more likely to internalize pain, dismiss emotional needs, or only express feelings through socially accepted outlets—most commonly anger.

This suppression isn’t harmless. In fact, emotional repression is linked to increased risks of depression, anxiety, substance use, relationship problems, and even chronic physical issues such as high blood pressure and heart disease.

When Anger Becomes a Cover

However, anger is often one of the few emotions society allows men to express. But while it can feel powerful in the moment, anger often masks deeper emotions—fear, shame, grief—that are harder to access and even harder to express. Unfortunately, this leads many men to struggle to get to the root of what’s really going on.

The Cost of Staying Silent

Suppressing emotions doesn’t make them disappear—it just forces them underground. Over time, this can lead to serious consequences:

• Strained relationships due to emotional distance or reactivity

• Increased use of substances as a coping mechanism

• Burnout and identity confusion from feeling stuck or directionless

• Disconnection from your own needs and values

Therapy offers a safe space to finally take off the mask and explore what’s going on beneath the surface. And here’s the truth: feeling your emotions doesn’t make you broken. It makes you human.

What Therapy for Men Actually Looks Like

You might imagine therapy as crying on a couch or talking about your childhood—but in reality, therapy can look very different depending on your needs and preferences. Here are just a few ways therapy can look: 

• Goal-Oriented Therapy: Some men may benefit from solution-focused or cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which provide more practical tools and structure than other therapeutic modalities.

• Skills-Based Support: Therapy can teach emotional regulation, communication skills, and stress management.

• Exploration-Based Therapy: Approaches like psychodynamic therapy or narrative therapy help make sense of long-standing patterns or beliefs that no longer serve you. This may more closely resemble the type of therapy often shown in media.

• Real-Life Topics: Therapy for men (and people regardless of gender) often includes issues like:
  • Career stress and burnout

  • Fatherhood and family roles

  • Sexual health and relationships

  • Anger, frustration, and loneliness

  • Life transitions or a loss of purpose

And don’t worry, you don’t need to know exactly what you want to talk about. A good therapist will help you figure it out together.

Redefining Strength: Why Asking for Help Is Powerful

For many men, the hardest part of therapy is simply reaching out. Men are often taught that asking for help is weak—but what if it’s actually the most courageous thing you can do?

Strength doesn’t mean suffering in silence. Strength is knowing your limits and choosing to show up for yourself. As said by the wise Brene Brown, “asking for help is a power move. It’s a sign of strength to ask and a sign of strength to fight off judgment when other people raise their hands.”

Therapy is not about becoming someone different. It’s about becoming more yourself—with more clarity, emotional freedom, and resilience.

How to Find the Right Therapist: 5 Tips for Men

Finding a therapist who fits your needs can make all the difference. Here’s how to start:

1. Know What You Want to Work On
   Do you feel stuck? Angry? Overwhelmed? Are you struggling with your identity, relationships, or confidence? Defining your goals—even loosely—helps narrow the search.

2. Reflect on Past Support Systems
   Think about times you’ve opened up to someone. What made that person feel safe? You may feel more comfortable with a therapist of a particular gender, communication style, or background.

3. Learn About Different Therapy Styles
   • CBT helps with anxiety and intrusive thoughts

   • EMDR is used for trauma and difficult past experiences

   • Existential therapy can help you navigate life’s big questions

There are many different therapeutic modalities, do some research and think about what style may feel best for you.

1. Try a Free Consultation
   Most therapists offer free 15-minute calls. Ask questions, talk about what you’re looking for, and get a feel for the therapist’s style.

2. Trust Your Gut
   A therapist can only help if you feel comfortable enough to be open. The relationship—not the technique—is the most important factor in effective therapy if you are just starting out. And know that you are never obligated to continue with a particular therapist or style. It is okay to try therapy out for a while and see how you feel.

For more considerations read this!

A New Story: What Happens When Men Prioritize Mental Health

When men make space for their mental health, the benefits ripple outward:

• Stronger relationships based on communication and emotional presence

• Better work-life balance and less burnout

• Greater self-confidence and emotional resilience

• Healthier coping strategies and stress relief

Therapy isn’t just about fixing something that’s wrong. It’s about building something better—a life where you can show up more fully and authentically.

It’s Okay to Start Small

You don’t have to dive in all at once. Just acknowledging that therapy could be helpful is a meaningful step.

Start by learning more, reading articles like this one, or booking a consultation to see if it feels like a good fit. There’s no right way to begin—just the courage to consider something different.

At Peacefulway, we understand how hard that first step can be. We offer a team of compassionate, skilled therapists who work with men every day. You don’t have to do it alone.

Schedule a free 15-minute consultation and let’s talk about what support could look like—for you.

“Sometimes, reaching out and taking someone’s hand is the beginning of a journey.” — Vera Nazarian