Counselling and Therapy for Men in Hampstead
You’re not the only man to feel that way if you are a man grappling with mental health issues. About 1 in 7 men (14 percent) experience a common mental health problem including anxiety and depression from the previous week. Yet men are also far less likely than women to get professional help, with men accounting for only about 36% of referrals to NHS talking therapies despite being half the population.
At Mandi Simons Counselling & Psychotherapy, we offer private and confidential mens mental health treatment from our two NW3 practice sites at Hampstead High St and Heath Street. Our male and female therapists are experienced in addressing anxiety stress, depression, relationship issues including anger management and addiction.
Whether you’ve been delaying a call for help for months, or are doing so today, this page looks at how therapy helps, what to expect if you contact an expert and why taking the step of speaking to someone professionally could be the best decision you make all year.
There are unique pressures men face which could take a toll on their mental well-being. “Work pressures, economic concerns, challenges with relationships, becoming a father and looking after aging parents also weigh heavily on men; as do cultural stereotypes about masculinity. It assumes that to expose vulnerability is weakness, that they need to have the ability to handle things themselves as well as avoiding asking for help since this would suggest they were less capable.
The results of this silence are damaging. Men make up approximately three quarters of all suicide deaths in the UK, and suicide is the most common cause of death for men aged 20-49. These are not just statistics. They are fathers, brothers, partners, friends who didn’t receive the support they needed in time.
Good news is that attitudes are changing. Record numbers of men are making a conscious decision to put their mental health first and ask for professional support. Having the courage to recognize when something is wrong and take steps to do something about it is not weakness. It takes real courage.
Men can face all mental health issues but they may present or deal with them in a different way. At our Hampstead clinic, we frequently help men who have the following symptoms.
Anxiety can manifest as unyielding worry, trouble sleeping, irritability, physical tension or an ever-present feeling of dread. Work stress, money worries and (of course) relationship strain are typical causes. Many men say they feel like they are keeping it all together on the outside while slowly falling apart within.
Counselling for mens depression will support men to identify and manage symptoms which might look somehow different than the way in which depression is usually interpreted. Instead of being tearful or openly despairing, men with depression are more likely to have these symptoms: anger (as opposed to sadness), irritated mood, alcohol or drug abuse, restlessness and agitation, poor motivation for doing things they used to like to do, problems in focusing on work or other activities and withdrawal from family and friends. Others drink alcohol or use other substances to numb the pain. If this sounds like you, mens depression treatment from a professional can help you to identify these symptoms and start feeling like yourself again.
Challenges in intimacy, conflict within the family or a problem with communication are common triggers for men seeking therapy. Relationship issues can cause mental health problems to develop or exacerbate, and addressing them with a therapist can help deconstruct unhelpful patterns and re-establish connection.
A lot of the men we see in Hampstead are working at high-pressured jobs on their commute out of London. The long hours, high targets, job insecurity and a culture that rewards overwork can leave men feeling tired, isolated and overwhelmed. Therapy can help create a space to explore these pressures and come up with healthier ways of managing them.
Anger is often the only emotion men feel free to express. Underneath anger, often there are feelings of sadness, fear, grief or shame that have gone unacknowledged. Therapy assists men in learning what triggers their sense of anger, and how to process challenging emotions more effectively.
Men also are more likely than women to use alcohol or drugs as a way of handling psychological distress, along with gambling or other addictive behaviors. Private therapy for men tackles the addiction itself as well as what’s underneath that is causing so much emotional pain.
How You Can Benefit from Men’s Counselling in Our Hampstead Practice
We know how scary the first appointment can be when walking through that door. Our method is created to make it as easy and painless as possible.
All new clients start with a free, 30-minute consultation. That way, you can speak with one of our therapists about what you’re experiencing and ask any questions. Nobody is forcing you to, no one expects it of you. It’s just a conversation to help you understand whether therapy might be right for you.
We are very careful to match you with a therapist who is suited for your needs. The gender of the counsellor (although, for some men wanting to know you only work with a female therapist may be really appealing). Our staff consists of a bit of both and we’re happy to talk to you about which is the best match for you. All we really care about is that you feel heard, safe and understood.
Our male therapists, which include Robert Finlayson, Daniel Saccoccio, Jonathan Kay and Sebastian Bosca have years of experience working with men on many different issues. You can see the full team and their specialisms here.
Confidential Mens Counselling at our practiceaprovides a completely confidential environment for any man. What is said in the room, stays in the room. This is your time and place to speak freely without fear of being judged, dismissed or misunderstood. Many of the men we work with say that they find relief, all on its own, in having a place where it is totally safe to be honest about what they are feeling.
Our therapists work within various evidence-based modalities including psychodynamic psychotherapy, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), integrative therapy and person-centred counselling. Your therapist will help you figure out the approach that’s best for your way of thinking and talking. Therapy is not cookie-cutter; we customize the way we work with you.
Treatment in private for mens mental health is usually weekly or fortnightly lasting 50 minutes a session. Some men show up for a particular issue and eight to 12 sessions is sufficient. Others thrive on longer-term work to tackle deeper patterns.
In therapy, you might dig into how the past is affecting the present, learn practical strategies for coping with anxiety or stress, grieve a loss, improve communication in your relationships or simply have a place to process the pressures of everyday life.
While in NHS services waiting lists to be seen for talking therapies can stretch for months, private therapy allows you to start within a week or two of your initial consultation. They can be done face-to-face at our Hampstead offices or by video call online, if that is preferable for you.
Our clinic is located in the heart of Hampstead: at 28B Hampstead High Street and 25-27 Heath Street, both NW3. We’re situated a few minutes walk from Hampstead underground station (Northern Line), so the practice is easily accessible to people throughout North and North West London.
We frequently treat men from Hampstead, West Hampstead, Belsize Park,Highgate,Golders Green-East Finchley,Muswell Hill and Crouch End. Ultimately if you are looking on the internet in an attempt to find a male counsellor near me in any of those locations then please do make contact.
“We have a peaceful, green environment in Hampstead that many clients find beneficial before or after their appointments. You can make a walk across the Heath or lazing with a quiet coffee locally part of your weekly self-care routine.
A lot of men wait until they are in a crisis to seek other men up. You don’t have to hit rock bottom to get something out of therapy. If you recognize any of the following, it might be time to speak with someone.
If you, or someone you know, are having thoughts about self-harm or suicide, please seek assistace immediate.
“Stigma is a significant barrier to men getting help for depression,” Dr. Koplewicz said. The notion that real men don’t need help, that to speak about feelings is indulgent, or that you should keep calm and carry on it. These are old beliefs that are harmful and just plain wrong.
The truth is that the ones who show up in therapy are frequently the very men who carry the heaviest burden, endure the most pressure and invest enormous effort to hold it all together. Investing in you mental health is a smart, pragmatic choice. No more so than going to see a physio for a bad back or visiting the dentist when you have toothache. When something isn’t working, you hire a professional.
Men come to see us at Mandi Simons Counselling & Psychotherapy from all types of backgrounds: CEO’s and entrepreneurs, builders and truck drivers, teachers and health professionals, young fathers and retirees. Good therapy does not discriminate, and neither does mental health.
Yes. Everything that is discussed in one of our sessions at my Hampstead practice is, of course, always completely confidential. What you tell your therapist is just between the two of you. The only exception would be if there were a real danger that you, another person or myself might suffer significant harm. If this were to arise I would talk to you about it first.
Absolutely. We do have quite a few competent male Frankston psychologists working with us, some of whom work specifically in the area of men’s issues. We also love matching you if you prefer a female therapist. This is something we will always talk to you about in your initial consultation.
Therapist’s session fees vary due to all if them being independent. You can find our current costs on our fees page. We believe good quality support should be available for everyone, and our prices reflect this. A free 30-minute first consultation is always available so you’re fully informed.
There is no fixed timeline. Some men do well in short-term, focused work over 8 to 12 sessions. Some would rather know they have someone to talk with on an ongoing basis as part of their personal development. Your therapist will talk about this with you and you can carry on for as long as you feel it helps.
Most of our new clients are caught and first-time visitors to DTKHP. If you are unsure or it makes you nervous, that is OKAY. Our what to expect in your first therapy session guide explains exactly what will happen so you can prepare for it. Your therapist will work at your pace and you don’t feel pressure to share more than you want.
Yes. We provide video therapy as well as face to face visits at our Hampstead locations. Online therapy Whether you have a hectic work schedule, travel often, or feel more at ease at home, online therapy can be an excellent choice. For most issues, it is equally as effective if not more than face to face.
Get on the Path to Improved Mental Health
For professional private mens mental health support in and around Hampstead or anywhere in North London, Mandi Simons Counselling & Psychotherapy is here for you.
You don’t have to know the key before reaching out to us. You just have to be willing to begin the conversation.
Book your free 30-minute consultation today on our online booking page, text us on WhatsApp at 07938 612004 or check out our contact page to get in touch.
