Effective Psychotherapy with Men
by Ronald Levant
In this dramatic recreation of key moments in a 12-session course of therapy with Raymond—a man who at mid-life cannot feel excitement at the prospect of his impending fatherhood—Dr. Levant demonstrates an unconventional, yet very effective approach to working with men. 
Men often seek psychotherapy only as a last resort—the idea of talking about their feelings to resolve problems is not on the agenda. If they do seek help, they often avoid expressing their emotions due to fear, anxiety or learned ways of relating, making progress difficult and dropout more likely.

In this dramatic recreation of key moments in a 12-session course of therapy with Raymond—a man who at mid-life cannot feel excitement at the prospect of his impending fatherhood—Dr. Levant demonstrates an unconventional, yet very effective approach to working with men. At first he helps Raymond understand the socio-cultural forces that restrict the emotional lives of men, and in doing so creates a strong therapeutic bond. Then he gradually helps Raymond experience and appreciate the breadth and richness of his emotions. With these fuller resources at his disposal, Raymond is able to use Dr. Levant's support to make rapid and meaningful changes in his life.

What therapists are saying…

"As a female therapist who works with male clients struggling with issues identical to those presented, I found it helpful that Levant framed the work in terms of 'learning skills.' This was a subtle reframe for working with male clients that I will begin to use immediately. I also very much liked the practical and tangible progression of homework assignments."

-- Pam Dillon, M.Ed., Dept. of Human Development and Applied Psychology, University of Toronto
"Dr. Levant's psychoeducational approach to psychotherapy with men is impressive and effective, and this video captures both his clinical skill and clarity. It is a wonderful teaching video, providing a powerful demonstration of the ways in which therapists can assist men to become more emotionally aware and responsive. A must for anyone working with men in psychotherapy."

-- Judith V. Jordan, Ph.D., Assistant professor, Harvard Medical School, co-author, Women's Growth in Connection
In Depth
Specs
Bios
Many men feel inadequate as clients in therapy because they are not as comfortable in the world of emotions.  Unfortunately, some therapists inadvertently play into male client's discomfort of therapy by repeatedly asking them "How do you feel?" and then showing disappointment when their client cannot readily answer this.  Levant beautifully demonstrates how to join with these men around their lack of ease in navigating emotional terrain, and in a supportive way help them to become more emotionally aware and literate.

By watching this video, you'll gain increased understanding and skills in:

• Developing initial rapport and a strong alliance with men who would usually flee from therapy
• Supporting men to apply their new self awareness and emotional expressivity to themselves and their relationships
• Helping men develop their vocabularies to include words that encompass a abroad spectrum of human emotion
• Distinguishing between action empathy and emotional empathy
• Using an Emotional Response Log to identify and track emotions

Length of video: 1:16:00

English subtitles available

Individual ISBN-10 #: 1-60124-003-1

Individual ISBN-13 #: 978-1-60124-003-3

Group ISBN-10 #: 1-60124-006-6

Group ISBN-13 #: 978-1-60124-006-4

Ronald F. Levant, EdD, ABPP is the Dean and Professor of Psychology at Buchtel College of Arts and Sciences, University of Akron. During Dr. Levant's term as President of the APA in 2005, he championed the vision of "Making Psychology a Household Word" and appointed the Presidential task force on evidence-based psychology. Formerly, he was Dean and Professor of the Center for Psychological Studies, Nova Southeastern University, and prior to that on the faculty at Boston, Rutgers, and Harvard Universities, and a clinician in independent practice and a clinical supervisor in hospital settings. Dr. Levant's received his BA in Psychology from the University of California, Berkeley, his EdD in Clinical Psychology and Public Practice from Harvard University, and his MBA in General Management from Boston University.

Publications: Dr. Levant has authored, co-authored, edited or co-edited over 300 publications including 14 books in family and gender psychology and in advancing professional psychology. He has developed theory and conducted research programs on fathering and masculinity ideology from multicultural perspectives. He was also the co-founder and first President of APA Division 51 (the Society for the Psychological Study of Men and Masculinity). His books include Between Father and Child, Masculinity, Reconstructed, A New Psychology of Men, Men and Sex: New Psychological Perspectives and New Psychotherapies for Men.

Interviews: Dr. Levant has been interviewed and profiled for hundreds of articles on the psychology of gender issues and family life including: Fortune, Newsweek, Time, U.S. News and World Report, People Magazine, Men's Health, Boston Globe, New York Times, New York Daily News, Christian Science Monitor, U.S.A. Today, Wall Street Journal, and numerous others. He has also appeared on a number of national television and radio shows, including "20/20," "The Oprah Winfrey Show," and "CBS News Nightline."

Visit Dr. Levant's website at www.drronaldlevant.com to learn more about him, the psychology of men, and his work.

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