Men in Therapy
presented by
Felix Vara, LMFT-Associate & Steven Lorado, LMFT-Associate
Friday, October 13, 2023 9:00AM at Depelchin Children's Center,
4590 Memorial Drive, Houston, Texas 77007
DESCRIPTION:
The idea of men seeking mental health assistance, particularly those in male dominated professions such as military and first responders, are stigmatized as “weak”. These professions epitomize “traditional masculinity” particularly in the North American society which de-emphasizes men asking for help. Men are to be independent, strong, and self-reliant. The goal of this presentation is to demonstrate the current literature of mental health resistance by the male population in general, gender role conflict and create dialog to generate ideas that might be helpful in encouraging more men to seek mental health assistance. Further, we will discuss efforts by the federal government to establish a model for first responders to seek mental health assistance. The impetus for this presentation is the work by Felix Vara as an intern at the VA hospital in Houston and experience as former law enforcement officer. Steven Laredo provides a perspective of what younger men are facing regarding mental health care.
Objectives of this presentation:
We would like to be able to create space to demonstrate the current literature of mental health resistance by the male population in general, gender role conflict, create dialog to generate ideas that might be helpful in encouraging more men to seek mental health assistance, and discuss updated data on men's perspective of mental health.
About Our Presenters:
Felix Vara: Native of Houston and graduate of Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU), Houston Campus with a master’s degree in psychology. He is retired from Houston METRO Transit Police as an Assistant Chief in 2020 after 30 years of service and hold a master’s degree in criminal justice from the University of Houston-Downtown. He received his LMFT - Associate Summer of 2023.
Steven is a native Houstonian with BA in Psychology from Texas State University, a recent graduate from Our Lady of the Lake, where he studied marriage and family therapy, and is currently working as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Associate with the Houston Galveston Institute (HGI). Driven by his faith and past, Steven’s passion is helping men and male adolescents with their mental health. When he isn’t at school or working, he enjoys watching marvel or anime, watching the Astros with his dad, and training in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
