Takeaway: Therapy can be a transformative tool for men navigating stress, anxiety, or life’s challenges—but taking the first step can feel daunting. The statistics for men’s mental health are sobering and the problem is real. But it’s solvable. In this article, we’ll walk you through what to expect, how I can help, and local resources in Derbyshire to support your journey so you’ll feel more confident getting started.

If you’re a man in Derbyshire considering therapy, you might be wondering what to expect. Will it be awkward? Will you have to lie on a couch and talk about your childhood? Will you actually leave feeling better, or will it just be 50 minutes of awkward small talk?

These are all fair questions, and here’s the good news: therapy is way more down-to-earth than most people think. It’s not about “fixing” you because you’re not broken. It’s about understanding yourself better, building resilience, and finding ways to make life feel a bit less like an uphill battle.

In this article, we’ll walk you through what therapy for men can look like, address some common concerns, and highlight how I can support you on this journey.

And if my practice isn’t the right fit for you, don’t worry—I’ll also share some local resources in Derbyshire that might better suit your needs. Because at the end of the day, the most important thing is that you take that first step, wherever it leads.

Why Men Hesitate to Seek Therapy

When it comes to men's mental health, there's often societal pressure to 'keep it together, no matter what.' Growing up, many of us internalize messages like 'just power through' or 'tough it out.' These aren't innate drivers we're born with, but rather attitudes we gradually learn from family, friends, media, and broader culture. While society is evolving beyond outdated phrases like 'boys don't cry' and 'man up,' their lingering influence can still make reaching out for help feel like you're breaking some unspoken rule.

The numbers paint a stark picture (*research conducted in the US):

Suicide Epidemic

Men are 4 times more likely to die by suicide than women.
In 2023 alone, 39,045 men took their own lives vs 10,270 women.
Men represent 80% of all suicides, up from 71% in 1972.
If male suicide rates matched women's since 1999, 574,000 fewer men would have died. To put that in perspective, in WWII, there were 384,000 British soldiers killed in combat.

The Treatment Gap

Only 16% of men get mental health treatment vs 27% of women.
We're 10% less likely to access care than women.

The Loneliness Factor

15% of young men report having no close friends - a five-fold increase since 1990
This loneliness correlates with increased risk of suicide, which researchers call "deaths of despair".

Economic and Employment Challenges

6.9 million working-age men not working or looking for work in late 2023
Only a 3% rise in median earnings for men without college degrees since 1979
From early development through higher education, boys face systemic disadvantages—showing 14% lower school readiness at age 5, lower high school graduation rates, and a 17% gap in earning bachelor’s degrees compared to women.

Who's Most At Risk?

Suicide rates have jumped 30% for men aged 25-34 since 2010.
Men over 75 have rates 7 times higher than women their age.

The Barriers We Face

The barriers men face in seeking help run deep. First, there's stigma - that nagging feeling that admitting you're struggling somehow betrays the "strong, silent" archetype society expects us to embody. Then there's the vulnerability hurdle; most of us were never taught emotional literacy, so opening up about feelings can feel as awkward as speaking a foreign language for the first time.

Compounding this is the representation gap - with men comprising just 18% of social workers and 20% of psychologists, many therapy spaces simply aren't designed with male perspectives in mind. It's like walking into a room where the furniture was built for someone else's comfort.

But therapy isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about having a safe space to figure out what’s going on in your head without someone judging you or telling you to “just get over it.” Acknowledging that you’re facing mental health challenges isn’t a sign of weakness—it’s a sign that you’re human. And last I checked, being human is kind of the whole point.

What to Expect in Counselling for Men

If you’re considering therapy, you might be wondering what it’s really like—especially if you’ve never spoken to a mental health professional before. Here are some things to consider about the therapeutic process:

Therapy Isn’t One-Size-Fits-All

Every person’s journey is different, and therapy reflects that. Your journey is as unique as you are, and therapy reflects that. Whether you’re dealing with stress, anxiety, body image issues, relationship challenges, or other mental health issues like substance abuse, therapy provides a safe, non-judgmental space to explore what’s going on.

A Safe Space to Explore

One of the best things about therapy? It’s a judgment-free zone. You don’t need to have all the answers (or any answers, for that matter). Your therapist isn’t there to tell you what to do—they’re there to listen, support, and guide you. Many male clients worry that therapy will feel awkward or that they’ll be pushed to talk about things they’re not ready to discuss. But you’re in the driver’s seat. You set the pace, and your therapist will meet you where you are.

The Benefits of Counselling for Men

Therapy isn’t just for people in crisis or those diagnosed with mental health conditions. It’s for anyone who wants to feel better, understand themselves more, or just figure out how to adult without losing their mind. For men, therapy can help with everything from managing stress and anxiety to improving relationships and finding a sense of purpose. It’s also a chance to develop greater self-awareness and emotional resilience, which can have a positive impact on all areas of your life.

At its core, therapy is about creating a space where you can be honest with yourself and explore what’s really going on. It’s not about “fixing” you—it’s about helping you understand yourself better and find ways to live a more fulfilling life.

How I Can Help

As a qualified therapist with a focus on counselling for men (and a man myself), I understand the unique challenges men face when it comes to mental health. Whether you’re dealing with stress, anxiety, relationship issues, or just feeling stuck in a rut, I provide a supportive and welcoming environment to figure out what’s going on and find ways to move forward.

A Tailored Approach for Men

My approach is rooted in person-centred therapy, which basically means I meet you where you're at and work with you to figure out what you want to achieve. I combine this with mindfulness-based techniques, offering practical tools to help you manage difficult emotions and build resilience.

While my approach is grounded in evidence-based practices, I keep it human. Therapy isn’t about following a rigid script or ticking boxes—it’s about creating a space where you feel heard, understood, and supported.

Here's something worth noting: the therapy world has a noticeable gender imbalance. About 70% of therapists are women, and women are more likely to seek therapy. This means much of the research on what works is based on women working with women. While this research is still valuable, it can miss some nuances when applied to men.

For example, in training, we're often discouraged from problem-solving too quickly. But in practice? Many of the men I work with actively use therapy to think things through—to strategise and find solutions. And that's okay. Therapy should adapt to how you process things, not the other way around.

The beauty of this approach is that it’s flexible and collaborative. You’re not just a passive participant—you’re an active part of the process.

As a male therapist, I also bring a relatable perspective to the table. Whether it’s dealing with societal expectations, navigating life transitions, or trying to figure out what the heck “purpose” even means, I’ve been there. My goal is to help you reconnect with your strengths, develop greater self-awareness, and live a life that feels more authentic and fulfilling.

My aim is to make therapy feel less like a clinical exercise and more like a meaningful conversation. It’s about blending the science of psychology with the art of human connection, so you can move forward with clarity, confidence, and a renewed sense of purpose.

What Sets Me Apart

What makes my practice unique is the combination of my professional expertise and personal experience. I hold a PGDip in Counselling and Psychotherapy and a PGDip in Teaching Mindfulness-Based Approaches, which allows me to blend emotional support with practical tools.

But it’s my real-world experience that grounds my approach. Having navigated career transitions, corporate environments, and the pressures of modern life, I understand the complexities men often face. This combination of professional training and personal insight makes my practice particularly well-suited to counselling for men.

I specialise in helping men with:

Anxiety and stress management
Depression and low mood
Self-confidence and self-esteem issues
Life transitions and decision-making
Career-related stress and burnout
Relationship challenges

If you’re ready to take the first step, I offer a free 15-minute consultation to discuss your needs and see if my approach is the right fit for you. Therapy isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about finding the support you need to navigate life’s challenges and create positive change.

2 Local Resources in Derbyshire

If Counselling With Me Isn’t the Right Fit

Finding the right therapist is a deeply personal process, and I understand that my practice might not be the perfect fit for everyone. That’s okay—what matters most is that you find the support that works best for you. Whether you’re dealing with anxiety, depression, or other mental health conditions, there are plenty of excellent resources in Derbyshire to help you on your journey.

If you’re looking for a different approach or a therapeutic relationship that feels more aligned with your needs, here are a few local options to consider:

1. Men’s Sheds

Sometimes the best therapy happens when you're not even looking at each other. That's where Men's Sheds UK comes in.

These aren't your typical support groups - they're workshops where men connect through practical projects (think woodworking, bike repairs, or even brewing). No pressure to "open up," just a space to:

Work with your hands while naturally building friendships.
Share skills with other blokes in a no-judgment zone.
Grab a cuppa and chat - or don't - entirely up to you.

Sheds is about building connections to improve wellbeing, reduce loneliness and combat social isolation.

2. Mentell

Sometimes the most powerful healing happens in a circle of blokes who just get it. That’s the idea behind Mentell—a men’s group founded after a family suicide, where over 5,000 men have found relief through raw, real conversations.

How It Works

Weekly circles: 2-hour sessions (in-person/online) where men talk freely—no advice, no judgment, no pressure.
Run by men, for men: Facilitators are volunteers with lived experience, not clinicians.

The format of the group is simple and works around 7 principles (or group agreements):

Safety
Confidentiality
Respect
Free from advice
Free from judgment
Free from (time or money) commitment
Freedom to talk or simply listen

What to expect:

Once you sign up via the Mentell website www.mentell.org.uk you will get a series of emails with information on your nearest men's group and weekly reminders, all you need to do is turn up to the men's group of your choice.

This might be for you if you're tired of putting on the "strong man" act day after day, if traditional therapy feels too clinical right now, or if you just want to connect with others without any pressure to commit. There's no performance required here - just show up as you are.

One member of Mentell and he had this to say..
“One weekend I found Mentell via a friend on Facebook. The idea of sitting down with a bunch of strangers was an alien concept to me and I remember my first circle like it was yesterday. Full of nerves, not knowing how or what I was going to say.

I listened as strangers talked about deeply personal problems in a way that I had never experienced - honest , raw and heartfelt. Thoughts and feelings that I had only thought existed within me - now shared freely within a circle of trust.

The relief was so powerful I remember my whole posture changed as I walked out the room that night , almost like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. For the first time in 2 years my whole body and mind got the sensation of hope and belief.

After my first circle, I knew Mentell was going to be a regular thing for me, months went by and I got used to the idea of being honest with my feelings and emotions. After all these years I learnt that men are allowed to cry, not only that but men could be vulnerable in front of other men and still feel 100% supported.

The more I listened to other men talk about their feelings the more I learned how to reach deeper into mine and over the course of a year I unpacked areas of my life that had been holding me back since I was a child.

The beauty of Mentell is you don't have to talk, I always found the circle a relaxed and welcoming space that supports you making positive changes. It's also not all about the heavy bad stuff, members talk about the good stuff too and I got used to the idea of learning how to be grateful for the small stuff in life.

The biggest benefit I saw was the increase in my own self confidence that seemed to flow out of the circle and into my personal and professional life. From rock bottom, I found healthy relationships , more rewarding jobs and become a more relaxed and happy person, I realised that I didn't need to go back to my old self I was truly happy with what I had in front of me.

If I were to give any advice to a new member reading this - just try it! Try it at least once, you will be amazed at how relaxed you will be made to feel by the circle, the tough part is walking through the door - but its so worth it when you do.”

Mentell Member - Glossop Circle

FAQs

The “best” therapy really depends on the individual—it’s less about gender and more about what resonates with you. But many men do find approaches like person-centred therapy (which I use) helpful because it focuses on creating an accepting space to explore thoughts and feelings, as well as support for exploring new perspectives and taking action.
Ultimately, the best therapy is the one that feels right for you and helps you move toward your goals.
While the field of therapy is still predominantly female, the number of male therapists is growing. Many men find it helpful to work with a male therapist, especially when discussing topics like masculinity, relationships, or career pressures. That said, the most important thing is finding a therapist you feel comfortable with, regardless of gender.
Therapy isn’t always a straight path—it’s normal to have ups and downs. But if you’re consistently feeling stuck, unheard, or like you’re not making progress, it’s worth discussing with your therapist. Sometimes it’s about adjusting the approach, and other times it might mean exploring if a different therapist or modality is a better fit. Trust your gut—you deserve to feel supported and see progress in your journey.

Taking the First Step

Therapy is a powerful tool for navigating life’s challenges, whether you’re dealing with stress, anxiety, relationship issues, or other emotional difficulties. It’s not about having all the answers—it’s about giving yourself the freedom to explore what’s on your mind, in a space where you can be curious, open, and completely yourself.

Whether you decide to work with me or explore other local resources, the most important thing is that you take that first step. You don’t have to go it alone, and reaching out for support isn’t a sign of weakness, it's a strength. If you’re ready to start your journey, I’m here to help.

Request more information

Therapy for Men in Derbyshire: What to Expect [& 2 Local Resources]