Men's Therapy Directory Blog

Arrival and FOMO, or Fear Of Missing Out

mceely@gmail.com (Michael Ceely) — Mon, 28 Mar 2022 15:16:51 GMT

An existential-humanistic take on modern society by MTD member, Troy Piwowarski, Psy.D

This insightful article, originally titled, The Fantasy of Arrival, delves into the issue of achievement vs. contentment. Troy Piwowarski, Psy.D shares his perspective on some modern paradigms that we all need to be aware of.

Therapy or Coaching? How to Choose

mceely@gmail.com (Michael Ceely) — Sun, 09 May 2021 23:26:29 GMT

Michael Ceely interviews Shawn Buttner about the difference between a therapist and a coach.

Can't decide whether you need a therapist or a coach? Shawn Buttner sheds some light on this common dilemma.

Shawn Buttner, Certified High Performance Coach

Shawn Buttner was working hard in the tech world when he decided to increase his skillset and get a coaching certification from the High Performance Institute.

While getting his certification, Shawn fell in love with the High Performance Institute's process, and realized that coaching was his true calling.

He started growing his coaching business while continuing to work at his tech job, serving high-profile clients like Walmart and Apple. Shawn then made the leap to full time coaching, and hasn’t looked back.

As the founder Men's Therapy Directory, I was excited to interview Shawn and ask him about the differences between therapy and coaching. My hope is that this interview helps men make an informed decision.

Therapist or Coach? Getting Some Clarity

Men are often confused about whether a therapist or coach is best for them. This makes sense because there's not a lot of information out there about the differences.

Shawn shared some valuable insights from his coaching business, and provided clarity for men who might be on the fence about choosing a therapist or a coach.

Some key takeaways from the interview:

A therapist helps you resolve past issues or patterns that prevent you from moving forward.
A coach focuses on your desired future and helps you develop a detailed plan to get there.
Consider a therapist when you're feeling stuck or overwhelmed.
Consider a coach when you're free of any major issues that would prevent you from reaching your goals.

Certainly there is overlap between therapy and coaching. If you can't decide which is right for you, schedule a call with both a therapist and a coach, and ask plenty of questions!

Find out more about Shawn's coaching style at shawnbuttner.com or visit his Facebook page

Watch the Interview

Shawn Buttner is a Certified High Performance Coach and owner of SB High Performance Group, based in Berkeley, CA. Learn more about Shawn on his website ShawnButtner.com

Depression as a Growth Opportunity

mceely@gmail.com (Michael Ceely) — Mon, 10 Aug 2020 01:23:29 GMT

An Interview with MTD therapist Yakov Barton

In this post, Dr. Yakov Barton talks about reframing depression as a normal human experience that can be an opportunity for growth. In his private practice, he specializes in trauma-informed therapy for depression, anxiety and addiction.

Ripe for Therapy

Yakov Barton sees the glass as half full. Depression, he says, can be a growth opportunity. Instead of avoiding difficult feelings, men can grow by going to therapy.

Unfortunately, a lot of men are resistant to seeking help. This is because of the stigma around men and therapy, Yakov explains. Men often ignore their mental health for so long that they reach a point of desperation. They become ripe for therapy, and the fruit, as it were, simply must be harvested.

Yakov says that men don’t have to wait until things get desperate. Going to therapy sooner rather than later can help men avoid a lot of unnecessary suffering.

Developmental Depression

Our society tends to pathologize depression and other mental health challenges. Therapists are often too quick to "cure" someone's depressive symptoms, without exploring the reason for the depression in the first place.

Yakov has done significant research in the area of developmental depression , which posits that depression is more common than we think, and may actually be a growth opportunity if explored in a non-pathological way.

He found that depression is common in the emerging-adult age group (18-25). Perhaps this is a normal rather than pathological response to the stressors and transitions inherent to this period of development.

If men knew how common depression really is, they might be more likely to make an appointment with a therapist and get the help they need.

Watch the Interview

Dr. Yakov Barton is a licensed psychologist, speaker, and instructor in the San Francisco Bay Area. Find out more about him on his MTD profile or visit his website at yakovbarton.com

Alignment & Modern Stoicism

mceely@gmail.com (Michael Ceely) — Tue, 07 Jul 2020 05:04:49 GMT

An Interview with MTD therapist Courtland McPherson

In this post, Courtland McPherson talks about how therapy and stoicism can help men can find alignment in their lives.

The Barriers

In his therapy practice, Courtland McPherson finds that men are sometimes resistant to trying therapy. There is a barrier that a lot of men have and it’s called stigma. Historically, men getting emotional support was considered unnecessary, or worse, a sign of weakness.

The Power of Alignment

Finding alignment with one’s self is a journey, Courtland explains. The journey often starts by noticing that something is “off.” There might be tension in relationships, career burnout, or just an overall sense of unease that never goes away.

But by asking the difficult question, “what needs to change?” men can face their fears and move toward setting goals that lead to greater life satisfaction.

Modern Stoicism

Courtland also explains how stoicism is more relevant today than ever. The Roman emperor and Stoic philosopher, Marcus Aurelius once said, “You have power over your mind - not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.” This can be an empowering starting point for men, and for all of us.

Watch the Video

Courtland McPherson is a Bay Area psychotherapist. Find out more about his style and philosophy on his MTD profile or visit his website Little Red Telescope.

Barriers to Therapy, Trauma and Triggers

mceely@gmail.com (Michael Ceely) — Sun, 14 Jun 2020 18:42:37 GMT

An Interview with MTD therapist Christoph Zepeda

In this post, Christoph Zepeda talks about barriers to men seeking therapy, complex trauma and how attachment-focused EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing) can help.

A Disarming Stance

It’s normal for men to be resistant to therapy, especially if it’s their first time meeting with a therapist. Opening up about one’s feelings and life challenges can seem daunting. But Christoph explains how a therapist can disarm the resistant feelings in a way that’s empowering.

How EMDR Can Help

Christoff explains how trauma can be “stored” in the brain and body. People may be stuck in a pattern of unconscious reactivity. EMDR works to reprocess trauma, and break the reactive patterns. Christoph's particular style of EMDR is called attachment-focused EMDR which emphasizes the potential reparative nature of therapist-client interactions.

Trauma and Triggers

By defining trauma as not always a single event (Trauma with a capital T), but also as an accumulation of events (traumas with lower-case t’s), therapists can help clients better understand why they may be stuck in reactivity.

Delving into trauma triggers can be scary or shame inducing. Christoph talks about how triggers are normal and that acknowledging them is the first step to reducing them.

Watch the Video

Chistoph Zepeda is a Bay Area psychotherapist. Find out more about his style and philosophy on his MTD profile or visit his website Zepeda Therapy

Men, Emotions, and Intuition

mceely@gmail.com (Michael Ceely) — Mon, 11 May 2020 03:56:23 GMT

An Interview with MTD therapist Rob Ashe

In this post, Rob Ashe talks about two typically underdeveloped areas of men’s psyches: emotions and intuition. Rob sees these as common themes that bring men to therapy.

Don't "Figure it Out."

Men may have learned to deal with their problems, even emotional-relational problems, by just “figuring it out” or using logical reasoning.

While logic and linear problem-solving is valuable, it may not be the right approach when it comes to emotional issues. Relationships, especially intimate ones, require emotional attunement.

Navigating New Territory

Trusting a therapist to help you navigate difficult emotional territory can be scary. Men often have a hard time letting go of their familiar mindset and trying out a new modality.

But Rob says that men, once they explore their emotional depths, realize that this area is not so scary, and in fact, they feel better talking about their feelings.

Watch the Video

Rob Ashe is a Bay Area psychotherapist. Find out more about his style and philosophy on his MTD profile or visit his website, Rob Ashe Psychotherapy.

Welcome to Men's Therapy Directory!

Sat, 20 Apr 2019 00:00:00 GMT

Your go-to site for men's therapy.

The Need

Finally, a site dedicated exclusively to men looking for a male therapist!

Men need to talk about their problems, and they often feel most comfortable talking to another man. But where can men find a male therapist who understands them? What website directory is committed to offering services that address the complex challenges facing men today?

I'm Michael Ceely, a psychotherapist in Berkeley, CA. I started Men's Therapy Directory out of frustration, frankly.

A number of my friends were asking me where they could find a good male therapist. There were the popular directories, like Psychology Today, but my friends found these sites hard to navigate. They were looking for something beyond the offerings of a generic directory.

They wanted one website where they could find a male therapist who matched their particular need.

The Solution!

I decided to create a go-to website for men looking for a male therapist. The goal was to have a diversity of offerings so men didn't have to wander the web in search of help.

The therapists on Men's Therapy Directory are dedicated professionals who are fully on board with MTD's mission to destigmatize therapy for men and to provide services to meet a diversity of needs. MTD offers individual therapy, couples counseling, and groups for men.

If you are a consumer, feel free to reach out to any of our therapists. If you are a licensed professional who would like to join MTD and add to our diversity, let us know. We look forward to hearing from you!