Conflict Therapist for Men In Newport Beach

What is a conflict therapist for men?

A conflict therapist for men primarily focuses on men’s conflict avoidance with their relationships. A conflict avoidant partner typically leans more into people-pleasing behaviors arising from a deep rooted fear of upsetting others. Often, those tendencies can come from being raised in an environment that was hypercritical, or dismissive. A conflict therapist for men focuses on how men deal with conflict avoidance, giving them more insights into what’s happening, and 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, change the subject, or endure undesirable circumstances instead of expressing how they feel openly. A conflict avoidant partner will experience difficulty addressing issues openly, which can lead to unnecessary resentment and discontent in the relationship. Some “avoiding conflict examples” include:

1. Fear of disappointing others

2. Deliberately avoiding conversations – changing subject

3. Resenting unresolved issues without discussing them

4. Denying issues exist by ignoring it

These types of behaviors might seem good on the surface, since they avoid a potentially uncomfortable conflict, but when avoiding conflict, you end up compromising your feelings. What’s more, you won’t give your partner a chance to resolve them with you. You can end up silently enduring avoidable situations. Also, masking your feelings can make you feel isolated, which compounds with the original problem.

Often the fear of conflict can create anxiety about discussing a situation that doesn’t create conflict. Avoidance behavior in a marriage, for instance,  can cripple the open communication that’s crucial to keeping the relationship healthy. A conflict therapist for men can help you as a man gain more clarity in those situations, and strategies for communicating what you need in the relationship.

Here’s another way to think about it: being conflict-avoidant impacts our relationships because when we avoid conflict, we cut off the essential honest communication with the other person that keeps the relationship balanced and healthy.

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 to get more information on what your unique challenges are. This information will also 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 and understanding healthy conflict, conflict resolution methods, stress management and emotional regulation exercises during conflict, communication methods that work for you during conflict, and more.

Your first session is important, but don’t worry about not knowing what to do or expect. Your therapist will walk you through your first session. All you need to do is show up and be fully present and honest with your therapist during your first session so they can get the best information possible to begin a treatment plan with you.

Next steps to take action

Looking for a solution is already 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. Reach out to us via our contact form or by phone to start that conversation today.