Men in general, particularly white middle- and working-class men are not doing well; physically, financially, and emotionally. Accordingly, there is a resurgence of interest in the study of men and masculinity in our field as an essential aspect of multicultural competence. To this point, the psychology of men has not been well developed in our field, which limits our effectiveness in engaging men in treatment and providing effective clinical interventions for men and their intimate partners. This presentation works to develop new understandings of the psychology of men and how those new understandings can be applied to clinical work with men and their intimate partners.
https://nefesh.org/workshops/NewApproaches/viewFREE WEBINAR
New Approaches to Working with Men and Couples in Psychotherapy
Previously Recorded
Presenter: Avrum G. Weiss, Ph.D.
Course Length: 1 Hour
Learning Objectives:
- Summarize the empirical research supporting developing understandings of the psychology of men.
- Implement new strategies for engaging men in therapeutic treatment
- Implement innovative approaches to working with men and couples in psychotherapy.
This workshop Offers 1 Continuing Education Credits
This webinar is recorded and will not grant live credits.
Men in general, particularly white middle- and working-class men are not doing well; physically, financially, and emotionally. Accordingly, there is a resurgence of interest in the study of men and masculinity in our field as an essential aspect of multicultural competence. To this point, the psychology of men has not been well developed in our field, which limits our effectiveness in engaging men in treatment and providing effective clinical interventions for men and their intimate partners. This presentation works to develop new understandings of the psychology of men and how those new understandings can be applied to clinical work with men and their intimate partners.
Learning Objectives:
- Summarize the empirical research supporting developing understandings of the psychology of men.
- Implement new strategies for engaging men in therapeutic treatment
- Implement innovative approaches to working with men and couples in psychotherapy.
Agenda:
I. Introduction (20 minutes)
A. Conceptualizing the study of men and masculinity as an essential aspect of multicultural competence
B. The challenges of working towards an empathic understanding of the internal lives of men without appearing to condone interpersonally exploitive or abusive behavior.
II. Difficulties of Engaging Men in Treatment (20 minutes)
A. Men are socialized to be emotionally self-reliant and to equate being emotional or needing help with femininity.
B. Men perceive psychotherapy, and the values expressed therein, as feminizing and, therefore, threatening
III. Importance of Engaging Men in Treatment (20 minutes)
A. Men in general, particularly white middle- and working-class men are not doing well; physically, financially, and emotionally.
B. Men and loneliness.
IV. Strategies for Engaging Men in Treatment (50 minutes)
A. Therapists educating themselves about the internal lives of men as another form of cultural competency
B. Educating men about their fears of women as an underlying cause of individual unhappiness and relationship distress (Weiss, 2021).
1. Men’s fears of being dominated and controlled by women
2. Men’s fears of being entrapped by women
3. Men’s fears of failing to protect and provide for women
' 4. Men’s fears of women’s emotions
5. Men’s fears of being inadequate
6. Men’s fears of being abandoned.
7. Men’s fears of femininity
C. Helping men to understand some of the benefits of therapy they may be unaware of
V. Treatment Strategies for Working with Men and Heterosexual Couples (50 minutes)
A. Men are taught to rely on defensiveness and stonewalling as their primary defenses in intimate relationships. Teaching men to forgo withdrawal and how to “lean in” as an alternative.
B. Women are socialized to rely on criticism and contempt as their primary defenses in intimate relationships) Teaching women to forgo criticism and learn to be interested in, and empathic towards the internal lives of their partners.
VI. Case study of a common relationship conflict reconceptualized through the lens of men’s fears of women. (20 minutes)
This presentation is open to:
- Social Workers
- Professional Counselors
- Therapists
- Psychologists
- Licensed Mental Health Practitioners
- Medical Doctors and Other Health Professionals
- Other professionals interacting with populations engaged in mental health based services
- New practitioners who wish to gain enhanced insight surrounding the topic
- Experienced practitioners who seek to increase and expand fundamental knowledge surrounding the subject matter
- Advanced practitioners seeking to review concepts and reinforce practice skills and/or access additional consultation
- Managers seeking to broaden micro and/or macro perspectives
Participants will receive their certificate electronically upon completion of the webinar and course evaluation form.
- NEFESH International is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0048.
- NEFESH International is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists #MFT-0046
- NEFESH International is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for Mental Health Counselor #MHC-0082
- NEFESH International, Inc. is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0116.