Workshop Summary:
When treating males with neuroplasic symptoms it is not uncommon to see various patterns of emotional restriction. Toxic masculinity provides a title to the group of patterns observed relative to emotional presentation, relational capacity, and self-identity. Key components that are often contributing to psychosomatic responses such as back pain often include emotional suppression, externalizing of distress or anger, unrecognized shame, hyper-independence or denial of vulnerability. This presentation will review the stigma of the title "toxic masculinity," what it does mean and what it does not mean. It is not an attack on males or the subject, rather the avoidance that can be toxic to one's own well being. I will review ways of identifying its presence such as intellectualization as a defense, unrealistic standards for perfection and how these may be tied to one's definition of masculinity, and fears of being perceived as weak. The presentation will include common somatic clues men may illustrate in session, and methods of disarming what often present as lifelong behavioral patterns.
Learning Objectives:
- How to recognize toxic masculinity within the typical patient population of those seeking treatment for neuroplastic symptoms.
- Using a psychodynamic approach to minimize defensiveness.
- Leveraging countertransference to build safety in emotional expression.
- Disarming old, lifelong messages tied to the definition of being a man.
- Build tools in alignment with new definitions of being masculine.
