As a therapist who has spent over 15 years working with diverse individuals, I’ve often found myself reflecting on the different ways men approach therapy—and what it teaches me in return. While much of the dialogue around mental health focuses on women, I believe we often underestimate how deeply men feel, struggle, and grow in therapy.
Working with men has challenged some of my own assumptions, expanded my understanding of masculinity, and affirmed one truth repeatedly: healing does not have a gender.
1. Silence Is Not Strength—But Often a Learned Habit
Many of the men I meet—whether they’re seeking individual therapy, couple counselling, or even family therapy—walk in with one thing in common: silence. Not because they don’t want to share, but because they’ve been taught not to.
From childhood, boys are often discouraged from crying, expressing fear, or admitting vulnerability. By the time they reach adulthood, they carry emotional walls so deeply embedded, it feels unsafe to tear them down. But in therapy, I’ve seen those walls come down—and the person beneath emerge, raw, honest, and ready to grow.
It reminds me every time that even silence carries meaning—and it deserves compassion, not criticism.
2. Anger Is Often a Cover for Pain
In many sessions, men have expressed anger toward their partners, parents, or workplace frustrations. But as we explore further, that anger is often just a surface emotion. Beneath it lies grief, disappointment, loneliness, or the overwhelming pressure to “hold it all together.”
Through relationship counselling in India, I’ve worked with men who felt dismissed, unheard, or emotionally neglected—but had no idea how to say so. Once we began unpacking those emotions, their relationships often transformed—not because the circumstances changed, but because they did.
It’s a reminder that behind many “problem behaviors” lie unmet needs—and therapy offers a space to uncover them safely.
3. Men Want Connection. They Just Don’t Always Know How.
TherapyContrary to stereotypes, most men I work with crave intimacy and emotional closeness. Whether they’re in premarital counseling, recovering from a breakup, or seeking PTSD treatment, their stories reflect a deep need for connection. But often, they lack the language or tools to build it.
I’ve seen beautiful transformations in men who learn to say “I’m scared,” “I need help,” or even just “I don’t know how to do this.” Vulnerability, once feared, becomes empowering. And in those moments, therapy stops being a clinical process and becomes something profoundly human.
Why This Matters in India
In India, the pressure on men to be stoic providers is still incredibly strong. Mental health stigma, especially among male clients, remains high. But change is happening. I now regularly receive messages for online psychologist consultations in India, often from men in their 20s and 30s who are eager to understand themselves better.
From chronic post traumatic stress disorder symptoms to OCD treatment in India, I’ve seen firsthand how much healing is possible when men are met not with judgment—but with curiosity and care.
Supporting the Men in Your Life
If you’re reading this and thinking of someone—a partner, brother, father, or friend—who may be struggling but unable to say it, consider these steps:
- Normalize therapy: Talk about mental health openly and without shame.
- Offer gentle encouragement: Suggest resources like group therapy sessions in India or even a short call to explore therapy.
- Lead by example: If you’ve been in therapy, share what you’ve gained.
Healing often begins with a conversation. Sometimes, it starts with this very blog.
Final Thoughts: Therapy Is for Everyone
As a licensed psychologist in India, I’ve come to believe that every session is a two-way street. I may offer guidance, but I receive wisdom in return. The men I’ve worked with have taught me about quiet courage, the burden of emotional isolation, and the beauty of self-discovery.
So no, therapy isn’t just for crisis. It’s for growth, for unlearning, and for learning anew. And if you’re a man wondering if it’s okay to seek help—it absolutely is.
Practo Profile Line: Ms. Tanu Choksi is a warm and friendly counselor and therapist offering patient, non-judgmental, and rational solutions to personal problems.
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