Men's Work
Awareness, Insight, and Unlearning
What does it mean to be a man, to be masculine, how do we want to define our identity? I aim to create a safe space for our experience to be unpacked, dismantled, examined and put back together. We will accomplish this goal with meaningful intention, courage, bravery, vulnerability, and integrity. I believe this can be best accomplished in community with other men. This is Men’s Work.
As we grow up, we are taught what it means to be a man. Boys learn expectations from their family, peers and social/cultural environment. In my role as a therapist, it is common to discuss goals and a desire to change, especially concerns involving: shame, suppression of feelings and emotions, weakness vs respect or power, people pleasing, conflict avoidance, anger, defensiveness, expectations, and social pressure.
I believe we must break this archetype through connection and vulnerability in a non-judgmental environment. As a Social worker and Therapist, my approach for men’s work has been informed by attention to patterns identified by and with my clients, as well as industry thought leaders. In therapy, we will explore your perspectives from a personal, historical, and social context. As you invite reflection and self-awareness of your lived experience you can create space for learning. Your effort has the potential to foster growth and illuminate opportunities for change grounded in meaningful intention and values. Therapy can help enrich your relationships with your partner, children, friends, and community.
Men’s Group
I am presently building a waiting list for an in-person Men’s group in Olympia. Please reach out for consideration and participation.
The primary function of this group is for male-identified group members to gather among peers to discuss issues of masculinity; to process and identify emotions; to talk about relationships; to unlearn paternalism; and most importantly, to learn about how to be a better partner, friend, and member in your communities.
Join me if you want to:
Unlearn Toxic Masculinity
Show-Up for yourself and others through meaningful self-awareness
Connect with other men to discuss the struggles experienced during the process of unlearning
Embody your feelings and values
Commit to learning about privilege, oppression, equity and allyship
Share space with other men that are interested in learning about the effects of paternalism and sexism in your life
This is a space where men are able to sit down together and talk about hard topics, day to day struggles and successes, and process openly in a community of peers.
For more information please contact me and we can arrange a 20 minute phone consultation.
RESOURCES
Male Dominance and Privilege
Scene On Radio Podcast, MEN, "How did we get sexism, patriarchy, misogyny in the first place? How can we get better at seeing it, and what can we do about it? Co-hosts John Biewen and Celeste Headlee explore those questions and more."