For a long time, the words, masculinity and mental health rarely made it into the same sentence. Those times are beginning to change. Men’s mental health awareness, life challenges, and the benefits of individual therapy are becoming more commonly discussed in the culture. One section of mental health for men that is gaining more attention is that of trauma and therapy for trauma.
The Cultural Expectations of Masculinity
Culturally, masculinity in the United States has been made up of grit, emotional suppression, white knuckling issues, and avoidance. Over time, these expectations are beginning to change. Men are beginning to seek therapy to address problematic behaviors, heal from past trauma, and improve their lives. The culture surrounding masculinity is starting to change to where asking for help is seen as a courageous act, not as a sign of weakness.
What’s not often talked about with men and trauma is the short and long-term consequences of not healing. Consequently, when trauma, stress, or overwhelm is bottled up inside the body, this dysregulates the nervous system and dumps stress hormones into the body. Over time, physical health changes can take place due to this body dysregulation and hormone exposure. Some common trauma symptoms may include: rapid emotional changes, a loss of sense of self, guilt and shame, intrusive thoughts, and flashbacks. When men suppress these symptoms, on the outside, everything looks like it’s fine. However, on the inside, it may look like a hurricane or frozen tundra.
Why Male Trauma Often Goes Untreated
Men may not attend therapy for many reasons. As noted above, some men may not want to look weak, ask for help, or even address some of the issues that they’ve suppressed throughout their lives. Some fear that starting to heal may open old wounds they’ve tried to distance themselves from. Unfortunately, these things don’t go away unless they’re addressed.
Trauma therapy first targets supporting the body to ensure it’s ready to start healing. Typically, the way that a man has managed his emotions, past traumatic experiences, guilt, and shame has developed defense mechanisms that need to be undone before healing can take place. These defense mechanisms work very well in the short term, yet in the long-term, can wreck a man’s life. Then, we can slowly start integrating past traumatic experiences so that trauma symptoms begin to decrease. This means that anxiety, flashbacks, difficulty sleeping, anger, rage, and being harsh to yourself can decrease. You can begin to change your life by reaching out and starting trauma therapy near you.
Redefining Masculinity Through Mental Health Support
We can redefine masculinity to show that reaching out for support is seen as an act of courage and strength, versus weakness. In addition, when your self-esteem starts to improve, and you begin to feel pride, which is true strength. When you’re able to break free from the chains that have held you back in your life, that is when you can step into your potential.
Taking the First Step Toward Healing
Finding a trauma therapist near you can be a challenge. There are many therapists out there, and you need to do your research and find which one fits best for you. Not all therapists are the same.
Currently, accepting new clients for both in-person as well as virtual therapy appointments. I have found that in-person therapy sessions work best for those who live near Union Grove, Mount Pleasant, Racine, Lake, Geneva, and Bristol, Wisconsin. Online trauma therapy works best for those who live throughout the State of Wisconsin.
If you would like to start trauma therapy near you, please call 720.295.6703, or submit a form by following this link here. I will respond within 48 business hours. I look forward to hearing from you.
