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There are every increasing reports in the academic literature and in the popular press of a 'crisis in masculinity'. The aim of this project was investigate male attitudes to
counselling and psychotherapy. To examine the type of issues men present with in
psychotherapy, how they dealt with them prior to counselling and in doing so to further
our understanding of their emotional needs. The data was obtained through a series of
in-depth and semi-structured interviews. Computer data covering a three year period,
showing presenting problems was also used. Ten men attending an inner city Counselling
Centre for group therapy participated in the study. Results showed the men believed that
counselling and psychotherapy are seen in a negative light by men in general.. Results
also showed that men tend not to seek counselling until their problems have escalated
into what might be described as a crisis and only then after a considerable amount of time
has elapsed. Results also showed that the men interviewed dealt with problems by
burying them, putting them to the back of their mind or being unaware they had a
problem in the first place. Findings were discussed in the light of theories of
socialisation and gender-role culture. Implications for psychotherapy, future research
and interventions were highlighted.
