Men's Issues Specialist
Kaushansky Psychology
Licensed Clinical Psychologist located in Westwood, Los Angeles, CA
Men's Issues Q & A
Can men benefit from therapy too?
Though our society has experienced rapid shifts in gender norms in recent decades, men today still remain susceptible to traditional notions of masculinity and specific cultural expectations around how they should, or should not, feel and express their emotions. It is still common for men to experience spoken or unspoken pressure to keep their feelings within, to “be a man” and not cry, and to avoid any other signs of vulnerability or weakness.
There is no doubt however that men, just like others, experience significant stressors when it comes to relationships, careers, sexuality, parenthood, finances, and a range of other daily experiences. Men also tend to experience certain emotional states or conditions with greater frequency—for example, anger and irritability. This is partly because anger, frustration, and aggression are feelings that have historically been condoned by society as “accepted and expected” for males to express. When it comes to the many other emotions a man may actually be feeling, it can be challenging for him to acknowledge them, tease them apart, and identify how they are influencing his relationships, his sense of self, his behaviors, and even his broader life course.
What are common challenges men face?
- Anger, irritability, frustration, or chronic stress
- Relationship or intimacy concerns
- Problems at work
- Anxiety or depression
- Substance use or other addiction issues
- Challenges with fatherhood
- Confusion about your feelings
Can talk therapy actually help?
Yes! Dr. Kaushansky strives to create a conversational, comfortable style that makes it easy for you to voice your concerns and to feel heard. He’s genuinely interested in getting to know the real you. What are you going through? What’s working in your life, and what’s not? How have you come to be where you are, and where do you want to be?
In the context of this non-judgmental therapeutic relationship, Dr. Kaushansky can help you to develop your awareness and expression of your many, varied emotional experiences. The work in therapy focuses on acknowledging emotions, building an emotional vocabulary, and increasing vulnerability and a willingness to sit with and accept the various feelings that you may hold at once within you. Dr. Kaushansky’s male patients tend to find that, when they are more able to identify their emotions, they begin to act less defensively or aggressively, experience greater authenticity, and less emotional burdensomeness. Many of Dr. Kaushansky’s clients also find it helpful to be given specific, actionable things they can do after each session to begin to gradually implement the changes that are discussed in therapy.