Emotions have no gender. 

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We're guessing that you've probably been told, or even said, to ‘be strong’, ‘toughen up’ or ‘not to cry’. Emotions are uncomfortable, and how we or others express them can also be uncomfortable.  Maybe we received these explicit messages from those that cared for us when it came to our emotions.  Maybe we too learned how to respond (or not to) our emotions from caregivers in a way that negatively affects us and others.  Maybe you're beginning to notice patterns that you've learned which are no longer serving you.  

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We know that it can become challenging to manage life's daily stressors and demands, let alone when we may not feel equipped to deal with them when they arise. Stop letting your emotions, beliefs about them, and your reactions get in your way! Your emotions are valid. So are your experiences. Needing and asking for support while navigating these challenges is human.

 

We believe mental health and wellness is about having a sense of control in your life.  This can look like healthy coping mechanisms, emotional intelligence and awareness, or strong communication skills.  When you are confronted by things that negatively impact you we want you to feel in control.  To feel as if you can choose how you respond. 

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It's often easier to acknowledge physical symptoms, rather than emotional ones.  These are commonly the first sign we notice, and often mean there is more going on. What are your physical symptoms telling you?

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Signs you could be ignoring:

• Headaches/migraines

• Unhealthy daily habits (i.e.: overworking, over-exercising, over-eating, over-sleeping, heavy TV or cell phone use)

• Change in sexual interest or performance

• Increased irritability, anger, verbal abusiveness or hostility

• Digestive problems like irritable bowel syndrome, bloating and food intolerances

• High-risk behaviours or increased impulsivity 

• Short attention span; difficulty with routine and scheduling

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Consider something for a moment; If you had a physical injury, bad enough that it began to impact how you functioned every single day, would you address this with the appropriate professional?  Why then, is there such hesitancy when it comes to mental health, difficult emotions or unhealthy habits? Things can unravel quickly when when left untreated, but it's never too late.  Looking at the list above, how many of these do you notice on a more than regular basis?  Let us support you in addressing these. Get back to feeling in control of your life! Addressing your experiences and habits head on allows us to shift them to healthier and more adaptive coping. 

 

What is a therapist going to tell me that I don’t already know?

Maybe it's not necessarily learning something we don't already know, maybe it's more about hearing what we already know differently, applying it more effectively. Consider taking the skills you already have and building off of them, strengthening and tweaking them. Therapy is a space that you can learn how to articulate your thoughts and feeling, deepen your own learning about them and yourself, respond to emotions more effectively and learn new behaviours and healthier coping skills.  You may not realize there are better ways until you talk about it! When you talk about your challenges, they can feel smaller with less hold over your life, let us guide and support you with this.

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Still need a push? Check this out:

• Men tend to repress their feelings and act out their depression in negative ways including: hostility and irritability, verbal abusiveness, or drinking to excess;

• Social and psychological factors can contribute to men’s depression - like competition at work, unemployment and physical illness - anything that directly impacts a man’s sense of strength and status;

• The social isolation experienced by many men as they cope with the difficult feelings that accompany a breakup and the loss of full access to their children, is believed to be a factor in the high rate of suicide amongst divorced men;

• Men go through a similar hormonal change as they age just like women in menopause - the male menopause, or andropause - and is often trigged when men reach their forties and this sudden loss of testosterone can have a huge impact on someone’s mental health.

Source: Canadian Mental Health Association

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Therapy for men is offered in Burlington, Oakville and Georgetown. Virtual sessions are also available for all residents of Ontario.

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