Conflict Therapist for Men In Newport Beach

What is a conflict therapist for men?

Some men go to great lengths to avoid conflict. A conflict-avoidant partner typically leans more into people-pleasing behaviors which arise from a deep-rooted fear of upsetting others. Often, those tendencies can come from being raised in an environment that was hypercritical or dismissive. If this sounds like you, don’t worry—there’s hope! A conflict therapist for men provides tools to manage situations involving conflict.

 

Who is a conflict therapist for men best suited for?

A conflict therapist for men is best suited for people who tend to go silent on a partner, ignore issues, change the subject, or endure undesirable circumstances instead of expressing how they feel. Resentment usually starts to bubble with all of these unresolved issues.

While lack of conflict might seem ok, or even good, on the surface, avoiding conflict means compromising your feelings. What’s more, you won’t give your partner a chance to resolve them with you. Avoidance cuts off the essential honest communication that keeps relationships balanced and healthy.

Masking your feelings can make you feel isolated, which compounds with the original problem. In our practice, we’ve seen firsthand how avoidance behavior in a marriage can harm the open communication that’s crucial to keeping the relationship healthy. A conflict therapist for men can give you strategies for communicating what you need in the relationship.

What can you expect in your first session?

In your first session your therapist will talk with you about past and present situations where you felt like avoiding conflict. This information will help your therapist create a treatment plan that helps target your particular challenges during your therapy sessions. 

Treatment plans for conflict avoidance will often include:

• Methods for identifying conflict
• Understanding healthy conflict
• Conflict resolution methods
• Stress management
• Emotional regulation exercises during conflict
• Communication methods that work for you during conflict

All you need to do is show up and be fully present and honest with your therapist during your first session.

Meet your conflict therapist for men, Hannah Pasternak:

 

Hannah Pasternak, LCSW, specializes in helping men navigate conflict, whether it shows up at work, in relationships, or within yourself. With a calm, grounded presence and training in trauma, mindfulness, CBT, and EMDR, Hannah provides a respectful space to unpack what’s beneath the tension. Her practical, non-judgmental approach helps you understand your patterns, communicate more effectively, and respond—not react—when things get heated. The goal: more clarity, control, and confidence in the way you show up in your life and relationships.

Contact us today to take the next step:

Looking for a solution is the first step. We invite you to take the next step and start a conversation with us about conflict therapy and how we can help you. Contact us to start the conversation today.

We also specialize in premarital therapy and family therapy.