Is therapy actually effective for men?

Yes — and research shows men make significant gains once they engage. The barrier is usually cultural, not clinical. Many men who expected therapy to be unhelpful describe it as one of the most practical investments they've made.

Do I have to talk about my feelings?

Not in the way you might imagine. Andrew's approach with men tends to be direct, practical, and goal-oriented. Emotions come up naturally in the process — they don't have to be the explicit stated focus of every session.

What do men actually talk about in therapy?

Work stress, relationship difficulties, anxiety, anger, sleep problems, feeling stuck or purposeless, and past experiences they've never processed. Less "feelings" as an abstract topic — more the specific things that aren't working in life right now.

How do I know if Andrew is the right fit for me?

The free 20-minute consultation exists exactly for this. You can ask Andrew directly about his approach, what to expect, and whether he's worked with men in situations similar to yours. No commitment required.

Is men's therapy in Scarborough covered by OHIP?

No — OHIP doesn't cover social work services. Most extended health benefit plans do cover RSW sessions. Andrew offers direct billing for most major plans, so many clients pay little to nothing out of pocket.

Men's Therapy Scarborough | Garnet Counselling | Andrew Garnet MSW, RSW

Therapy for Men Is Different — And That's Okay

Men seek therapy at half the rate of women. That's not because men struggle less — it's because men are often taught from a young age that struggling in silence is what strength looks like. That asking for help is weakness. That “real men” handle things themselves.

The cost of that belief is enormous. Depression, anxiety, relationship breakdown, addiction, physical health problems — all are more severe and harder to treat when they've been suppressed for years.

The reality is that it takes a different kind of courage to recognize that what you've been doing isn't working — and to try something else. That's not weakness. That's self-awareness. That's strength applied in a new direction.

What Men Come to Therapy For

Depression, low mood, and loss of motivation
Anxiety, stress, and burnout
Anger management and emotional reactivity
Relationship problems — partner conflict, communication, disconnection
Grief and loss
Identity and purpose — “Is this it?”
Work and career stress
Trauma and difficult past experiences
Pornography and sexual concerns
Fatherhood and parenting challenges
Mid-life transition and finding direction
Men who just want to be better — at relationships, at work, at life

What Therapy With Andrew Looks Like for Men

Andrew doesn't expect you to cry in your first session. He doesn't expect you to have the right words for how you're feeling. He works with men who are uncomfortable with therapy, skeptical about therapy, or who have no idea where to start — because that's exactly where most people are when they first walk in.

Sessions are straightforward, practical, and focused on what you actually want to change. Andrew draws on CBT, ACT, and SFBT in particular for men who want a goal-oriented approach — not open-ended navel-gazing. When deeper work is needed (and it often is), he has the tools for that too.

Why Men Work Well With Andrew

Men respond well to therapists who are direct, practical, and who don't project emotion onto them. Andrew meets you where you are. He's not going to push you to feelings you're not ready for. He's going to help you understand what's driving the things that are bothering you — and give you concrete tools to do something about it.

He also understands the specific pressures on men: the expectations to provide, to perform, to have it together, to not show vulnerability. Those pressures are real. Therapy is one of the few places where you don't have to perform anything — and where that honesty can actually change things.

Session Fee

Individual Session$180 / 50 min

Extended health benefits accepted. Direct billing available for many providers.

Related Services

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Is therapy actually effective for men?: Yes — and research shows men make significant gains once they engage. The barrier is usually cultural, not clinical. Many men who expected therapy to be unhelpful describe it as one of the most practical investments they've made.
Do I have to talk about my feelings?: Not in the way you might imagine. Andrew's approach with men tends to be direct, practical, and goal-oriented. Emotions come up naturally in the process — they don't have to be the explicit stated focus of every session.
What do men actually talk about in therapy?: Work stress, relationship difficulties, anxiety, anger, sleep problems, feeling stuck or purposeless, and past experiences they've never processed. Less "feelings" as an abstract topic — more the specific things that aren't working in life right now.
How do I know if Andrew is the right fit for me?: The free 20-minute consultation exists exactly for this. You can ask Andrew directly about his approach, what to expect, and whether he's worked with men in situations similar to yours. No commitment required.
Is men's therapy in Scarborough covered by OHIP?: No — OHIP doesn't cover social work services. Most extended health benefit plans do cover RSW sessions. Andrew offers direct billing for most major plans, so many clients pay little to nothing out of pocket.

Men's Therapy in Scarborough