About The Book
Examines theories and debates around male psychology
Explores a range of therapeutic approaches to a spectrum of issues seen in the treatment of men’s mental health.
Suggests positive steps for improving male mental health
This handbook represents the first concerted effort to understand male mental health in a way that facilitates a positive step forward in both theory and treatment. An alarming number of men experience serious mental health issues, as demonstrated by high rates of suicide and violent offending. Despite these problems, the study of male psychology has generally been overlooked, or viewed as a problem of defective masculinity. This handbook brings together experts from across the world to discuss men’s mental health, from prenatal development, through childhood, adolescence, and fatherhood. Men and masculinity are explored from multiple perspectives including evolutionary, cross-cultural, cognitive, biological, developmental, and existential viewpoints, with a focus on practical suggestions and demonstrations of successful clinical work with men.
Throughout, chapters question existing models of understanding and treating men’s mental health and explore new approaches, theories and interventions. This definitive handbook encapsulates a new wave of positive theory and practice in the field of male psychology and will be of great value to professionals, academics, and those working with males through the lifespan in any sector related to male mental health and wellbeing.
Published by Palgrave Macmillan, DOI 10.1007/978-3-030-04384-1
ABOUT THE EDITORS
John Barry
Dr John Barry is a Chartered Psychologist, clinical hypnotherapist, researcher and co-founder of the Male Psychology Network and Male Psychology Section of the BPS. Since 2010, John has over 70 publications in peer-reviewed journals, including international-standard work in the fields of psychology and health.
Roger Kingerlee
Roger Kingerlee is a consultant clinical psychologist and EMDR consultant at the Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust. Dr Kingerlee specialises in male and veteran psychologies and complex trauma. He is co-writer of the Veterans' Stabilisation Programme with The Walnut Tree Project, and a member of the Male Psychology Network.
Martin Seager
Martin Seager is a consultant clinical psychologist with the UK charity Change, Grow, Live. He spent over 30 years as a senior clinician, supervisor and manager in the NHS. He is a writer, lecturer, broadcaster and activist in the mental health field and co-founder of the Male Psychology Network, and the Male Psychology Section of the BPS.
Luke Sullivan
Luke Sullivan is a clinical psychologist. He is the founder of Men’s Minds Matter, and also works for South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, specialising in psychological crisis interventions for people at risk of suicide. He is a committee member of the National Suicide Prevention Alliance and co-founder of the BPS Male Psychology Section.
How the Handbook came about
In May 2015, Martin, Roger, Luke and I were approached by Palgrave Macmillan at the British Psychological Society annual conference in Liverpool, where we were presenting a symposium on the new topic of Male Psychology. We discussed the need for a fresh approach to understanding and dealing with psychological issues facing men and boys, and before long we had promised to deliver a book that would explore state-of-the-art knowledge on this topic. Little did we know at that time that our book would draw on the experience of 50 experts in this field from around the world, and span 32 chapters on a range of theoretical and practical issues crucial to male psychology.
No doubt some readers will find some of this material challenging, especially those people who believe that men’s mental health problems are the result of deficits in masculinity or the influence of patriarchy. I urge such people to suspend any initial urges to close their minds to the approach we are suggesting, and understand that the goal for us as psychologists - and indeed any empathic person - should be to support the mental health and wellbeing of all, including men and boys.
Sincerely,
John Barry