Why I Created Jacob Damelin Therapy

When I decided to start my own psychotherapy practice, I didn’t want to do so just because it was “the next step”. I wanted to create a space for people who were underserved by my profession.

Statistically, men have always been less likely to seek mental health treatment than women. Researchers cite cultural stigma, fear of being seen as weak, and other societal and internal pressures as reasons for their hesitation.

The conclusions of these studies rang true to me when I first read them. However, there was a question they failed to ask, “What is it about the present state of psychotherapy itself, rather than men or our society as a whole, that is making nearly half of the population decline to even try it?”

Why men avoid therapy

Throughout my career, each of my male clients had a unique story, but there were common threads between them.

Many of these individuals struggled with work-related stress, lack of purpose, balancing their professional and personal lives, and conflict with their spouses. They had past experiences with therapists who showed sympathy for these concerns, but failed to convey understanding of them.

Furthermore, those therapists told them what the solutions to those problems should be, rather than helping the clients come to their own decisions. Or conversely, these men felt that their sessions focused solely on the roots of their challenges, rather than steps they could take to overcome them. 

Finally, some clients felt that their previous counsellors had assumed things about them and their knowledge of psychotherapy. They did not connect with the jargon these clinicians used, and felt that they imposed their frameworks onto them, rather than expressing curiosity about how they saw their own suffering. 

How I Thought I Could Help

I was filled with disappointment every time I heard this common story from a new male client. However, their experiences also gave me the sense of purpose I had been looking for.

I started Jacob Damelin Therapy (JDT) to provide a space in which men could feel comfortable and strong as they expressed vulnerability. I was hopeful that JDT could support men struggling with work-related stress, relationship conflict, and other issues, and give them a roadmap to the life they wanted to live. I wanted to make men feel understood, not judged.

So, perhaps you have doubts about therapy, or you’ve had negative experiences with it in the past. Or maybe you’ve been considering counselling for a while, and have heard from a spouse or friend that it would be great for you. Whichever way you got here, I want you to know you’re welcome at Jacob Damelin Therapy.

If you’d like to see if we’re a good fit for each other, please feel free to book a complimentary 15-minute consultation. Sometimes that first step is all it takes.