Why should men consider therapy?

Men's therapy provides a confidential, professional environment to address mental health concerns without judgment. Despite stereotypes suggesting men should handle problems alone, seeking therapy is a smart investment in your wellbeing. Men's counseling can help you untangle life's complexities, process difficult emotions, develop healthy coping skills, improve communication in relationships, and build self-esteem. More men are recognizing the value of therapy—nearly 17 percent of men in the United States received mental health care in 2023, up from 8.5 percent two decades earlier.

What issues do men commonly address in therapy?

Men's therapy addresses a wide range of concerns including anxiety and panic attacks, depression and low motivation, anger management and irritability, work-related stress and burnout, relationship difficulties, grief and loss, trauma and PTSD, substance use concerns, and feelings of isolation or loneliness. At Shift Counseling, we understand that men may express emotional distress differently than women, and our therapists are experienced in helping men identify and articulate their feelings in ways that feel comfortable.

What therapeutic approaches do you use for men's counseling?

We utilize evidence-based modalities proven effective for men's mental health. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps challenge negative thoughts and improve coping skills for stress. For men who have experienced trauma, we offer Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy to reprocess traumatic memories. We also incorporate mindfulness and body-based interventions to address the physical aspects of mental health concerns, including breathing techniques, movement, and meditation to help regulate your nervous system.

I'm nervous about finding the right therapist to open up to. Do you have male counselors?

We understand it can be difficult to open up, and we have both male and female counselors who regularly work with men at our practice. You can choose to work with whoever you feel most comfortable with. Therapists listen to your story objectively without judgment. About 40 percent of our clients are male at any given time, and while men don't always talk openly about therapy, many find it to be a valuable resource for wellness once they give it a chance.

Can therapy help with anger issues?

Yes, anger management is a very common issue for men in therapy. We understand that anger is often the tip of the iceberg and may be masking other emotions like sadness, fear, or hurt. We don't view anger as a bad emotion—it's what you do with the anger that matters. Speaking about your anger in therapy is not an act of aggression and will not be stigmatized. We can help you understand the root causes of your anger and develop healthier ways to express and manage these feelings while improving your communication skills.

Do I have to talk about my feelings right away?

No. Early sessions are often more about getting your story out and figuring out what's actually going on. You don't have to perform openness or arrive with a clear sense of what you want to say. Your therapist will ask questions that help draw things out naturally, at your pace.

How much does therapy cost, and do you take insurance?

Sessions typically range from $75 to $200 without insurance coverage. With in-network coverage, you may only be responsible for a copay of $10 to $50 per session. Shift Counseling is in-network with BCBS PPO, Aetna, Cigna/Evernorth, and Lyra. Many insurance plans significantly reduce out-of-pocket costs depending on your mental health coverage. We can give you an estimate of your benefits when you call to schedule an initial appointment.

Is what I say in therapy confidential?

Yes. Everything shared in therapy is private. There are limited legal exceptions, such as situations involving risk of serious harm, and your therapist will explain those at the start of treatment.

Do you offer virtual therapy?

Yes. We offer telehealth appointments throughout Illinois for clients who prefer to meet online or can't make it to our North Riverside office in person.

Do you work with men from different cultural backgrounds?

Yes. We have bilingual therapists on staff who provide therapy in both English and Spanish, and our team has experience working with men from a range of cultural backgrounds. We understand that stigma around mental health can look different depending on culture, and we take that seriously.

How long do men typically stay in therapy?

That depends on what you're working on. Some issues can be addressed in a shorter, focused approach. Others benefit from ongoing work. Your therapist will discuss what makes sense based on your goals, and you can always reassess as you go.

Therapy for Men in North Riverside, Illinois

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Serving men in Broadview, Westchester, Brookfield, La Grange Park, Berwyn, Forest Park, Chicago, and throughout Illinois via telehealth.

Hispanic man looking outside of a window during a rainy day.

Are You A Man Struggling With Mental Health Concerns?

Most men don't end up in therapy because of one dramatic moment. It's usually quieter than that. The irritability that keeps showing up. Feeling like everyone around you is frustrated or disappointed with you. Having the same argument with your partner again and expecting a different result. The feeling of going through the motions. Waking up tired even when nothing is technically wrong. Knowing something is off but not being able to name it, and not having anyone you'd actually say that to.

At Shift Counseling, we work with men who are at that point. Something isn't working and they're ready to figure out what. We offer in-person appointments at our North Riverside office and virtual therapy throughout Illinois, with both male and female therapists on staff who work with men regularly. You don't need to have it figured out before you come in. That's what the first session is for.

Does this sound familiar?

Stressed about work, money, or feeling stuck?

Job pressure, financial strain, and not knowing how to change things are some of the most common reasons men start therapy.
Hard to talk about what's really going on?

If staying quiet feels easier than trying to explain what's happening inside, you're not the only one. And it's exactly what therapy is built for.
Noticing the same patterns over and over?

Anger, pulling away, overworking, shutting down. Therapy helps you figure out what's driving those patterns and how to actually change them.

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More Men Are Seeking Therapy. Here's Why.

Men are more often shamed for showing emotion, expected to tough it out, and less likely to have grown up watching other men ask for help. That leaves a lot of men without the words — or the permission — to reach out.
That's changing. In **2024, about 17% of men in the U.S. received mental health treatment, more than double the rate from two decades ago.¹** More men are recognizing that therapy isn't a sign of weakness. It's a smart investment — in their quality of life, and the people they care about.
¹ SAMHSA, via Statista, 2025.

Common Challenges We Help Men Navigate

Whatever brought you here, these are real challenges and they respond to treatment. Therapy gives you a structured, private place to address them on your own terms.

Men come to therapy carrying a wide range of things, often things they haven't had a real space to talk about. These are some of the most common areas we work on:

Difficulty identifying or expressing emotions
Pressure to appear strong and handle everything alone
Trauma or past experiences that still affect how you feel and react today
Substance use or other unhealthy coping habits
Work-related burnout and performance stress
Life transitions like job changes, divorce, or becoming a parent
Grief and loss
Low self-esteem or persistent negative self-talk

Anger that feels hard to control or that keeps causing problems in relationships
Anxiety, chronic stress, or a constant sense of being on edge
Panic attacks or unexplained physical symptoms that make you worry about your health
Depression, low motivation, or a persistent emptiness that's hard to explain
Relationship and communication struggles with partners, family, or coworkers

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How Therapy for Men Works at Shift Counseling

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Identifies the link between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors — useful for breaking negative patterns and building healthier responses to stress and anxiety.

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EMDR Therapy

For men who've been through trauma, EMDR helps reprocess difficult memories so they no longer trigger the same level of distress. Our therapists are trained in this approach.

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Mindfulness & Body-Based Interventions

Stress and emotional pain often show up physically. We use breathing, movement, and mindfulness to help regulate your nervous system and regain a sense of control.

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What to Expect

Your first session is about getting to know you. We'll listen, ask questions, and give you space to share what's been going on at your own pace. There's no script, no pressure to have things figured out before you come in. As we get a clearer picture, we'll build a plan that fits what you actually need.

Once we understand what's going on, we may bring in specific therapeutic approaches. The modalities we use for men's therapy include:

A note on therapist fit: Some men prefer working with a male therapist — others don't have a preference. Either is fine. We have both male and female therapists on staff, and about 40% of our clients are male. You can request a preference when you reach out.

Meet the Therapists Who Work with Men

Our therapists won't push you to open up faster than you're ready to. They'll ask the right questions, listen without judgment, and help you find a direction that actually makes sense for your life.

Noel is a bilingual counselor who provides therapy in both English and Spanish.

Noel Cordova, LCPC, CADC

Noel is a licensed clinical professional counselor and certified alcohol and drug counselor specializing in men's mental health, depression, anxiety, trauma, and recovery. He brings a direct but approachable style and uses CBT, EMDR, and mindfulness. Noel sees clients in-person in North Riverside and virtually throughout Illinois.

LEARN ABOUT NOEL
Nicole Powell, LPC

Nicole works with men navigating depression, anxiety, trauma, and stress — especially around relationships, family patterns, and feeling stuck. Her approach is collaborative and practical, using CBT, ACT, mindfulness, and body-based interventions. She sees clients in-person in North Riverside and virtually throughout Illinois.

LEARN ABOUT NICOLE

Is Therapy for Men Right for You?

Therapy isn't just for crisis moments. It can be a useful tool for men who want to get better at managing stress, communicate more clearly, or work through something that has been stuck for a long time.

This might be the right fit if:

You've noticed patterns in your mood, relationships, or behavior that you want to change
You're dealing with something specific, like trauma, anxiety, grief, or anger
You've been relying on unhealthy coping habits and want something different
You want to improve your relationships but aren't sure where to start
Life feels heavier than it used to and you're not sure why
You've thought about trying therapy but haven't taken the step yet

If any of that sounds like you, a free 15-minute consultation is a low-stakes way to find out if we're a good fit. You can ask questions, share what's going on, and get a sense of whether this feels right before committing to anything.

SEE IF WE'RE A GOOD FIT

Getting Started with Men's Therapy in North Riverside

Request a Free Consultation

Schedule a brief 15-minute phone or video call with one of our men therapy specialists. This gives you a chance to share what's going on, ask questions about how therapy works, and see if we're a good fit. No pressure, no commitment.

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Schedule Your First Session

If we're a match, we'll get your first appointment on the calendar. Choose between in-person sessions at our North Riverside office or virtual sessions from anywhere in Illinois. If you're already confident we're the right fit, you can skip the consultation and book directly.

Book an assessment
Start Making Progress

In your first session, your therapist will get to know you, understand what's bringing you to therapy, and start building a plan together. You don't need to arrive with everything figured out. That's what we're here for. Get started today!

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FAQs

No. Early sessions are often more about getting your story out and figuring out what's actually going on. You don't have to perform openness or arrive with a clear sense of what you want to say. Your therapist will ask questions that help draw things out naturally, at your pace.
That's a common concern, and it's a reasonable one. Our therapists are here to listen without judgment. That's the job. We also have both male and female therapists on staff, and about 40% of our clients are men at any given time. You can request a preference when you reach out, and the free consultation is specifically designed to help you get a feel for the fit before committing.
No. Anger is one of the most common things men bring to therapy, and it won't be treated as a character flaw. There's a reason anger often gets labeled as the one emotion men are allowed to show. Our therapists understand it's usually covering something deeper. You're welcome to talk about your anger openly and directly. We do ask that sessions stay physically safe and respectful for everyone in the room, and that's a standard we hold for every client we work with.
Often, yes. Issues like depression, anxiety, and trauma frequently show up in how we communicate and connect with others. Therapy can help you build self-awareness, improve communication skills, and work through patterns that keep causing friction in your relationships.
Sessions are 50 minutes. Early sessions focus on understanding your background and current concerns. Over time, you'll work on specific skills and strategies with your therapist. Progress isn't always linear, but most people start noticing changes within a few sessions.
That depends on what you're working on. Some issues can be addressed in a shorter, focused approach. Others benefit from ongoing work. Your therapist will discuss what makes sense based on your goals, and you can always reassess as you go.
Sessions typically range from $75 to $200 without insurance coverage, but with in network coverage, you may only be responsible for a copay of $10-$50 per session. Shift Counseling is in-network with BCBS PPO, Aetna, Cigna/Evernorth, and Lyra. Out-of-pocket costs vary widely based on your policy, but we can give you an estimate of your benefits if you call to schedule an initial appointment. Many insurance plans significantly reduce out-of-pocket costs depending on your mental health coverage.
Yes. Everything shared in therapy is private. There are limited legal exceptions, such as situations involving risk of serious harm, and your therapist will explain those at the start of treatment.
Yes. We offer telehealth appointments throughout Illinois for clients who prefer to meet online or can't make it to our North Riverside office in person.
Yes. We have bilingual therapists on staff who provide therapy in both English and Spanish, and our team has experience working with men from a range of cultural backgrounds. We understand that stigma around mental health can look different depending on culture, and we take that seriously.
We see clients by appointment only. Please provide at least 24 hours notice if you need to cancel or reschedule. Missed sessions without 24-hour notice are subject to a $50 fee.

Ready to Get Started?

Reaching out is the first move. Call us at 708-522-4009, use our contact form, or schedule a free 15-minute consultation online. We'll take it from there.

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