Annie Schwain, MA, LADC, LMFT
612-325-2919
“I’m tired of feeling like nothing I do in my marriage is good enough. Will this ever change?”
“Why am I so angry and resentful all the time?”
“My wife says I need to go to therapy. I can handle things on my own. Am I crazy or is she crazy?”
“How can I be a better father and not repeat the mistakes my dad made?”
“What about what I want and need?”
If any of these questions sound familiar, you’re not alone. I specialize in working with men who are seeking therapy, sometimes because they want it, sometimes because someone in their lives is telling them they need it. Regardless of what’s bringing you here, you deserve to have support and guidance as you sort through the challenges in your life.
In my experience working with men, men WANT to be better partners, husbands, fathers, sons, and friends. They are doing their best, what they think others want them to do, and it’s not working. There is often a lot of effort that they feel they are putting in to their relationships, but they haven’t been taught the skills to be effective in their relationships with others. Men tell me
“I have buddies to work out with, watch the game with, or have a beer with, but we don’t really talk about the hard stuff.”
Sure, you might mention that you’re having a hard time in your marriage, work is stressful, or parenting is hard, but many don’t know how to sort through what they’re feeling, what they need, and how to make meaningful changes in their lives so that they can have the connection, intimacy, and reassurance that they want.
I take a direct approach to working with men, helping them to build their skills as needed in five areas:
Connecting to their inherent value so they advocate for themselves while making space for others to do the same.
Identifying, setting, and reinforcing boundaries to create a sense of safety and predictability, so that they can open up, be vulnerable, and connect with others.
Knowing their own truth and sharing it with others in a non-judgmental or blaming manner, so that they can authentically relate to others even when there are differences.
Identifying what they need, what they want, and how to navigate the two, rather than being anti-dependent, needless, or overly reliant on others to meet their needs.
Learning how to live a life of balance and moderation. Neither feeling out of control / overwhelmed, or controlling of others.
As I watch men build their skills using practical tools in each of these areas, I see their lives and relationships transformed. If you’re ready to start this journey, contact me to set up a free 20-minute consultation.