Clinical Work With Men: Understanding Masculinity in Psychotherapy

Why do so many men avoid therapy—or never return after the first session? And how can clinicians better connect with them?

In Clinical Work With Men, psychologist Andrew P. Smiler offers a groundbreaking guide for therapists seeking to better understand and engage with male clients by exploring masculinity from the inside out. Instead of pathologizing men’s behaviors, this book helps clinicians see the world through their clients’ eyes, examining the roles, values, and identities that shape how men understand themselves.

Drawing on extensive research and clinical experience, Smiler introduces seven common masculinity types - from the breadwinner and the protector to the angry man and the player - each with its own strengths, struggles, and therapeutic implications. Through vivid clinical vignettes and actionable strategies, therapists will learn how to:

- Recognize the core values and identity themes that drive male clients’ behavior;

- Build rapport by aligning therapeutic approaches with clients’ self-understandings;

- Address emotional development, social connection, and intersectional challenges; and

- Apply practical interventions tailored to diverse masculinities.