Counselling for Men

Men’s Counselling Services

Paul Brennan RPsych

  • Do you have problems that another male might understand?
  • Maybe you would feel more comfortable talking man-to-man?

You may have noticed that male counsellors, male therapists and male psychologists are in short supply.  Nevertheless, men have about as many problems as women and need about as much help. I am particularly interested in offering counselling services to males who are finding it difficult to make sense of their role in today’s world.

You Are Not Alone

Here in Victoria, BC, many tradesmen work out of town for long periods or else work frequent long shifts in town.  While it’s good to be busy, this can put extra pressure on family life and on healthy living in general.  Men are increasingly experiencing problems in areas like the following:

  • Substances and gambling
  • Anger in relationships
  • Sexual identity
  • Self-esteem
All of this can have serious consequences in many aspects of your life.  First and foremost, a poorly managed lifestyle can damage relationships with loved ones, co-workers, and friends.  Secondly, stress can significantly impact your physical health. It is not uncommon for high levels of stress to be associated with such short-term physical problems as headaches, digestion difficulties, and anxiety; while long-term ailments can include depression, alcohol abuse, high blood pressure, and increased vulnerability to heart attack and stroke.

An alternative: counselling for men

Struggling with stress can be like trying to get out of a Chinese finger trap:  The more we struggle to get out of it, the harder it grips our finger. When we try to get away from emotional stress, the pain may tighten up on us.

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Sometimes the struggle to change what we are feeling can make things worse, not better. Our life may tighten up so that we focus on what’s painful. We tell stories about it, and worry about it, and justify it, and explain it, and all we get for our troubles is more, not less, pain. But when we lean into our discomfort, as when we gently press our index fingers into the finger trap, we create some space. This is how anxiety treatment works.

Stress Management

I specialize in a type of mindfulness based cognitive behavioural therapy for anxiety called Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.  verified by Psychology TodayThis new evidence-based treatment for stress management involves loosening up around our unwanted experience. By making space around our stress, we can move in a direction that we really find exciting and interesting.  Stress management counselling can offer a new perspective on goals, values and life in general.

But you may still have questions about therapy….
Shouldn’t I just take medication for stress?  Ultimately it’s a personal choice for you to decide if medication alone accomplishes your goals. But I believe that therapy is not just about getting rid of symptoms. It’s also about living the life you want. You may not get that from a pill. 

Isn’t therapy for guys who can’t cut it? Well, that’s a bit like saying the gym is for weaklings. No, the gym is for people who want to increase their strength and resilience and therapy is much the same. 

Isn’t therapy expensive?  Therapy is an investment in yourself and your life.  I am committed to making this therapy affordable for everyone. 


Maybe you know you are ready for an effective treatment?  I can offer scientifically-based psychotherapy that is proven to help.

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