I wouldn't object to having a dog to pet in an appointment but don't think it's entirely necessary. Like anything, though, it's best when tailored for the needs of the patient so no harm in offering it. The important part is developing rapport between the therapist and patient so they both feel comfortable discussing uncomfortable topics. If that isn't working out, maybe it's time to get a referral to a colleague.

This ends up kinda like one of those "pull yourself up by your bootstraps" situations though, it's not always easy to advocate for yourself and you may not even know what you need yet when you're unfamiliar with the process. I think it's less a matter of needing to change what sort of therapy is available and more about changing our attitudes toward therapy so the contents of one's underwear isn't seen as relevant (aside from the cases where it very specifically is).

isn't men's mental health an oxymoron?

I've been to a ton of therapy. It didn't do anything for me. Actual quotes I've heard include, "You're too depressed for therapy," and, "I really focus on one traumatic event at a time; you have too much going on."

So what do I do with that? Nothing. I take my pills, try not to think about the clawing depression, and take care of my family. Therapy isn't going to help because nothing is going to help.

Anywho, back to work Monday.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iron_John:_A_Book_About_Men

https://www.gq.com/story/among-the-mens-group-sacred-sons

Ever heard of these?

The world we live in, at least in regards to this, is a woman's world and it's not fit for men. It's forcing men to do what's best for women, then if they have any issues things that worked on women are used on men. If men act like women at the end then great, if they still act like men then they are broken.

Now I probably lost a load of people already but bare with me.

Women/ girls have issues then men/boys have to do something about it. Boys constantly get told how to behave how awful their sex is how they need to do this and that and they are wrong, they are responsibly etc. But it doesn't matter if they are perfectly good citizen and boy it's still their fault for all the wrong in the world. Nothing ever goes back the other way. Some rich guy has a load of money, that means all guys are responsibly for having a load of money and all guys need to make less money. It's stupid.

But more to the point how do you make guys happy? Guys do not want one on one sessions when they can talk about all their issues and cry then feel better. That's a woman's solution to a problem. Men are built different and need solutions.

The best thing I found is being part of a men only group where we physically hurt each other and used our aggression to have fun with each other. (Rugby). Especially when I was younger men need that testosterone release. Then we all went to the pub got fucked up, was dicks to each other. But we had each others backs. This is what women do not get. They see us fighting each other, calling each other cunts and what not. But if you did something bad the group will let someone call you a cunt and get put in your place, if you are doing something bad the group will step in. If you did nothing wrong then it keeps going on. But we still talk and look out for each other. Here is the point. Who do you think I would rather talk to? Some person in a open collar shirt and fancy office trying to look approachable? Or some guy in a shirt and tie covered in beer, in a dark room, with a black eye and arms the size of my head, that earlier in the day called me a fucking pussy and told me to man the fuck up and get in the game because I just got pushed off a tackle. I bet 9/10 women would get that wrong. Also I'm the person that would respond well to that sort of encouragement, I don't need to feel sorry for myself that doesn't help. I need motivation. Women don't get that either.

Men need men only spaces where they can de-stress and shoot the shit. This is why pubs have been so popular with men. But we need a revival of social clubs. Just a place where you can go to hang out and not need to drink, somehow children need to be involved too by maybe not every day.