How do you facilitate a men’s group? What are the topics for discussion in men’s group therapy? Why do men need support groups? What Questions Are Asked in Men’s Group Therapy? What are the benefits of men’s group therapy? If you are looking for answers to these and more questions about men’s group topics, this article is for you.
Hi. My name is Sean Galla. I have facilitated men’s support groups, including group therapy sessions, for over 10 years. For many generations, men have been made to believe that seeking help is a show of weakness. Men’s group therapy works to ensure men, regardless of age, orientation, or occupation, can get the group experience, support and guidance they need as they navigate through life.
Whether you are looking for career advancement advice, mental health support, emotional support, social support, or just a men-only space for good banter, taking part in men’s group therapy can be all the help you need. Here is everything you need to know about men’s group therapy and why you should consider joining one.
Table of Contents:
What is men’s group therapy?
Men’s group therapy can be described as a safe space for a group of men in a setup that allows them to share, vent, learn, and adapt to life challenges and changes as they create self-awareness. Group therapy is an excellent option for men who find it hard to go for individual therapy sessions with therapists or mental health professionals.
These group sessions offer a safe relational space where men can learn as they listen to other men share and seek the support of an understanding community of fellow men. they range from career support groups to sex support groups. Psychologists and mental health professionals see group therapy as the most approachable form of talking therapy. In a group, men feel less pressured to talk about themselves, which makes them more open to sharing and learning.
Men’s group therapy meetups are often led by a trained facilitator, a licensed counsellor, or a therapist to ensure all members have access to professional help, support, or advice they need.
Most men seeing a psychotherapist are asked to participate in men’s group therapy as an essential part of their recovery process. If you prefer to avoid a psychotherapy group, joining a general therapy group for men can be the next best choice.
Men’s group therapy is available for different needs. You can find men’s group therapy-specific issues such as:
- Men’s mental health issues
- Substance use
- Relationship issues
- Anger management
- Chronic conditions
- General life issues.
In a issue-specific type of group such as an emotional support group, you find fellow men going through similar issues, making the groups a safe place to share and learn without negatively affecting their self-esteem.
Depending on the issue you are facing or the kind of help you seek, men’s group therapy can be one of the best choices you make when trying to address and overcome the issues to lead a better life.
Group therapy is also a type of psychotherapy for men’s issues. This type of therapy is available to people from different parts of the world, whether you are American or European. Meetings usually take place online, in mental health clinics, therapeutic practices, hospitals, and community centers.
Why is men’s group therapy important?
Even though gender roles and stereotypes make it seem that men do better on their own, psychology shows that men yearn for a connection that allows them to share their life issues, engage in mindless banter, and even enjoy social settings amongst fellow men. At a deeper level, men have an unmet need to share and learn from each other’s experiences on what it means to be a man. Unfortunately, men have very few opportunities to do this.
With men’s group therapy, young and older men can finally have a safe space to make these social connections, learn from fellow men, and share their lives with other men who understand.
Men’s group therapy is also an excellent space for men to come and learn how to be in tune with their emotions. Most men were raised to understand that it is man’s nature to suppress their feelings, as expressing them is a sign of weakness. In a support group, men learn that it is okay to share their feelings as it offers a safe space to show emotions and get support. This can go a long way in boosting men’s mental health and making them more emotionally available to their loved ones.
Through group therapy, men can become more open to talking about their lives and seeking support and mental health care when they feel stuck.
Benefits of men’s group therapy
It is a safe space
One of the most significant issues faced by people, especially men, is finding a safe space where they can speak freely about their feelings, emotions, mental state, and hopes. Attending a men’s group therapy session such as the introvert support group for men will teach you how to be authentic by encouraging you to speak up for yourself. These skills are practiced in the group to boost members’ confidence, making it easier for members to use the learned skills in their day-to-day lives.
You find your voice
Through group therapy, you become more in touch with your feelings as you learn the importance of expressing your feelings. In therapy groups for men like the first responder support group for men, members are strongly encouraged to pay attention to their feelings and feel free to talk about them.
You give and receive support
In men’s group therapy, members are encouraged to rely on one another for feedback, connection, and support instead of getting it all from a therapist. The group will engage and discuss issues affecting different members’ well-being for the benefit of everyone in the group.
It is a source of encouragement
Group therapy allows men to get encouragement and peer support from other group members. Participating in the group meetups lets you hear what the other members are going through and their progress, which gives you a sense of belonging and hope to be better.
You learn how to relate in a healthy way
With proper socialization techniques, it can become easier for men to sustain relationships. In a group therapy setting, new members get honest feedback about their ability to relate and get advice on improving their skills. By being part of a group, men are able to see how people relate to one another. This goes a long way in encouraging them to build healthy relationships with others outside the group.
What questions are asked in men’s group therapy?
Even though men are conditioned to avoid touchy-feely topics with other men, a part of them desperately craves this kind of intimacy.
Even so, most men may avoid joining men’s groups because they are unsure of what to expect once they are in. Most men are preserved, meaning they find it hard to talk about themselves. If you are new to men’s groups, it is normal for the facilitator to ask some personal questions to encourage you to open up to the group and see it a a safe environment.
Refrain from worrying, these questions are basic, and you can skip on questions you do not feel comfortable answering.
Some of the questions asked in men’s group therapy include:
- What are you most excited about in your life right now?
- What’s your biggest achievement?
- What are you most proud of?
- Tell me about your wife/kids!
- How do you spend your free time? What are your hobbies?
- What do you do for work?
- What do you like/find the most challenging about your job?
Topics discussed in men’s group therapy
As part of a men’s group meeting, the group members can tackle discussion topics touching on men’s needs and issues affecting their daily lives as men.
Over the years, the same popular men’s group therapy topics have been brought up repeatedly in men’s groups. The vast majority of challenges that men face seem to fall into these general categories of common men’s group topics.
- Romantic Relationships: Relationship conflicts, communicating effectively, rekindling the romance, divorce, dating challenges, sexual performance and questions around whether someone makes a good life partner.
- Family: Fathers and sons, conflict, family members drama, communicating with family, raising children, how to be a good father, and your father dying and being a better dad!
- Career / Purpose: Confusion around purpose, best career moves, goals & dreams, unsure of personal strengths, business partner conflicts, getting bad press and money management.
- Managing emotions & mindset: Mental health challenges, social anxiety, anger, depression, anxiety, losing it on people in emotional situations and how to develop a healthier mindset.
- Health and self-care: Aging, how to get stronger, best nutrition, best exercise programs, getting better sleep, finding healthy hobbies, chronic illness, meditation, and mental health.
- Personal Development / Personal Growth Tips: Best times to wake up, useful apps, goal setting, envisioning the future, best tech/apps for XYZ goal.
- Substance abuse and Addictions: Porn, alcohol, food (sugar, carbs, binge eating, etc), marijuana, harder drugs, sex and working too much.
- Personal finance: Investing, cash management, getting out of debt, savings, bankruptcy, and cryptocurrencies.
- Men’s accountability questions: How can I stay accountable? Can you guys hold me accountable to my goals?
About MensGroup men’s therapy
https://stagingwpx.mensgroup.com/
Lack of a support system is a major cause of mental health issues amongst men. MensGroup is an online group therapy platform that strives to offer group session guidance, and help men get through different life issues.
MensGroup is a supportive network of men ready and willing to help others like them through sharing life experiences. The mensgroup.com online therapy session will give you the information you need to overcome your issues and lead a better life. It equips you with resources that make you a better man and ensure you lead a more fulfilling life.
What Questions Are Asked In Men’s Group Therapy? – Conclusion
Joining and attending group therapy is scary initially for most men, but it should not be. To ease you into the process, you can find group therapy for men online, as these make the transition to group therapy easier since they encourage anonymity. MensGroup is a leading online men’s therapy group willing to answer any questions you may have about any topic.
