Support & Therapy for Men
Men face unique stressors and conflicting expectations in today’s world. There is an expectation to be manly, but not too manly… flexible, but not a push-over… protective, but not angry… decisive, but not controlling… assertive, but not aggressive… funny but not offensive. There is an expectation to be a provider and also be present as a partner and parent. You may have been brought up in an environment where you were taught to mask and hide your emotions to avoid being seen as weak. However, in today’s society, and as we learn more about mental health, men are being challenged to learn how to express their emotions and this may feel foreign and uncomfortable at first.
Sometimes these conflicting expectations can leave you feeling as though you can’t do anything right. No matter how hard we work to try to get everything done, it’s never good enough. If we don’t learn to manage and balance these expectations, it can sometimes leave us feeling anxious, lonely, discouraged, or even depressed.
At Sequoia Counselling, we want you to know that we’re here to help you navigate these expectations and learn how to connect with and live by your own values and beliefs. What is important to you? Where do these expectations come from? How can you meet the expectations of others while also being true to yourself?