As a guy, it can be very difficult to admit there is an issue that you are having that requires outside help. You should be able to handle it yourself, bounce it off a friend, "walk it off", or something to get yourself right. But I've been seeing a therapist for years, and was fortunate (on advice from a girlfriend at the time, many yea…
As a guy, it can be very difficult to admit there is an issue that you are having that requires outside help. You should be able to handle it yourself, bounce it off a friend, "walk it off", or something to get yourself right. But I've been seeing a therapist for years, and was fortunate (on advice from a girlfriend at the time, many years ago) to take advantage of free sessions through the UC system in CA, and I can't recommend it enough.
Since I'm a big sports guy, and played for years, the context that works best for me is a coaching relationship. Any coach I've ever had is out there to help me be my best self...on the field, on the floor, in training, etc. So, I took in that coach mindset into my own sessions...my therapist is there to help me see my own blind spots, so I can be my best self (whatever that is at the time). Having that context, my therapist as a coach, really eased any concerns I had about going into therapy.
So now I see my coach in the locker room (our sessions) then go back out into the field of life. It works really well for me. Sam, I appreciate you putting this out there. I don't share this with most people, but the more we do, the less of a stigma there is. Thank you for your courage.
That's a really apt metaphor, I've seen my therapist as somewhat of a life coach too, and I'm glad that's helped you. I know my own share of male friends and family who struggle with that stigma of admitting you need help, and I'm sure that's a comparison that would resonate with a lot of them too. Thank you for sharing!
As a guy, it can be very difficult to admit there is an issue that you are having that requires outside help. You should be able to handle it yourself, bounce it off a friend, "walk it off", or something to get yourself right. But I've been seeing a therapist for years, and was fortunate (on advice from a girlfriend at the time, many years ago) to take advantage of free sessions through the UC system in CA, and I can't recommend it enough.
Since I'm a big sports guy, and played for years, the context that works best for me is a coaching relationship. Any coach I've ever had is out there to help me be my best self...on the field, on the floor, in training, etc. So, I took in that coach mindset into my own sessions...my therapist is there to help me see my own blind spots, so I can be my best self (whatever that is at the time). Having that context, my therapist as a coach, really eased any concerns I had about going into therapy.
So now I see my coach in the locker room (our sessions) then go back out into the field of life. It works really well for me. Sam, I appreciate you putting this out there. I don't share this with most people, but the more we do, the less of a stigma there is. Thank you for your courage.
That's a really apt metaphor, I've seen my therapist as somewhat of a life coach too, and I'm glad that's helped you. I know my own share of male friends and family who struggle with that stigma of admitting you need help, and I'm sure that's a comparison that would resonate with a lot of them too. Thank you for sharing!