Why Men’s Support Groups are Good For, Well, Men

It’s becoming trendier, and more acceptable, for men to be in touch with their emotional sides. Why does this matter? Men are being expected to provide more emotional support to their partners, friends and family than ever before, yet so many times this concept has been socialized out of males. Men are increasingly involved in raising their families, rather than the older, more traditional way of working outside the home in a 9 to 5 job. Women, and also other men, are looking for male partners who have high self-awareness and are willing to admit when they’re wrong. So how, if you’re a man and you’ve never been in touch with your own emotions before, do you develop these skills?

Online and in-person Men’s Support Groups have been popping up the past several years more and more frequently, to help men discover just this about themselves. Men’s Support Groups have varying objectives. Some include increasing self-awareness, learning how to connect with others more deeply rather than just superficially, and discovering just how to emotionally support others while asking for the emotional support they also need. Although many men may not be aware of the need for their own personal growth, often they are told by others (most likely when in an intimate relationship) that they are not in touch with their feelings and need help to get there. Thus, the rise of Men’s Support Groups.

Of course, each different Men’s Support Group has varying objectives and goals. But in general, many of them are considered interpersonal process groups, where the interactions between group members and the connections made within the group help the men develop a greater awareness of themselves. Men learn to understand patterns in how they interact with others, and how these patterns are healthy versus maladaptive. Through connecting with others who may have similar struggles, men learn that they are not alone in their challenges. They discover new ways of coping and managing with life’s pain, while getting peer support and considering new perspectives on old situations. Men’s Support Groups teach men to understand their emotional needs and how to get them met.

You may ask, why does all of this have to happen in a group setting? Can’t I, as a man, work towards some of these goals on a more one-on-one setting, such as individual counseling or therapy? Well sure. You can work on some of this stuff and reach some of your goals working individually with a trained therapist. However, you will be missing out on some benefits that support groups have to offer. For example, you’ll only get one different perspective on a tough situation you’re dealing with, instead of many, as you would in a group. Groups are also safe starting places to learning new skills before you take your new skills out into the world. The connections you make with not only one, but many other group members, is invaluable in developing your self-growth.

In conclusion, Men’s Support Groups are good for, well, men. Being surrounded by other men in a similar life situation and with similar life struggles as you are makes you feel less alone. When you feel less alone and more supported, your mood improves. Depression, anxiety, and relationship concerns are all very treatable in a group setting, and sometime even provide better outcomes than individual work. If you’re interested in a Men’s Support Group, check out our offering: www.catalysscounseling.com/mens-support-group

You can connect with other men, practice being open and vulnerable in a safe group setting with a trained group facilitator, and then apply these skills to your own outside life. Who knows what benefits you’ll find!

For professional men who are ready to go from feeling alone in your struggles to understanding how to make healthy changes in your life and getting accountability for your actions.

Click here for more information on the Men's Support Group

For busy women who are ready to go from overwhelmed and exhausted to thriving and feeling connected, without ever leaving your home.

Click here for more information on the Women's Support Group

If you are looking for general support, or if you would like to talk to someone more about how we can help you, follow these simple steps:

Here at Catalyss Counseling, we want to meet all of your counseling needs in the Denver area. Our supportive therapists provide depression counseling, therapy for caregiver stress, grief and loss therapy, stress management counseling and more. We also have specialists in trauma and PTSD, women's issues, pregnancy and postpartum depression or anxiety, pregnancy loss and miscarriage, and birth trauma. For therapists, we can also provide clinical supervision! We look forward to connecting with you to help support your journey today.

Author Biography

Shannon Heers is a psychotherapist, clinical supervisor, guest blogger, and owner of Catalyss Counseling in Englewood, CO. Shannon helps adults in professional careers manage anxiety, depression, work-life balance, and grief and loss. Follow Catalyss Counseling on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram.