Clinical Work With Men Understanding Masculinity in Psychotherapy

by Smiler, Andrew P.

• ISBN13: 9781433844454
• ISBN10: 1433844451
• eBook ISBN(s): 9781433844461
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2026-04-14
• Publisher: American Psychological Association
• More Book Details

Summary

A fresh approach to understanding and engaging men in therapy
 
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.
• Apply practical interventions tailored to diverse masculinities.

With its unique focus on identity, values, and real-world clinical applications, Clinical Work With Men will deepen your insight, sharpen your skills, and help you create more meaningful, effective therapeutic relationships with men.

Author Biography

Andrew P. Smiler, PhD, is an award-winning author, therapist, and psychologist living in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. His therapeutic practice focuses on helping teen boys, adult men, and their families lives happier, healthier, and more productive lives. Dr. Smiler is a past president of the Society for the Psychology of Men and Masculinities and past board chair of MaleSurvivor.org. He is author or co-author of the books Is Masculinity Toxic? A Primer for the 21st Century, Dating and Sex: A Guide for the 21st Century Teen Boy, and the best-selling textbook The Masculine Self (7th ed., with Christopher Kilmartin). Visit https://andrewsmiler.com.

Table of Contents

Introduction. Cultural Competence for Working With Men
Chapter 1. Theoretical Overview
Chapter 2. The Breadwinner
Chapter 3. The Self-Sufficient Man
Chapter 4. The Problem Solver
Chapter 5. The Protector
Chapter 6. The Angry Man
Chapter 7. The Player
Chapter 8. The Un-Emotional Man
References