It's ‘therapy bro summer': Why more men are getting mental health help — it's not just to get laid
You've certainly heard of 'hot girl summer.' You may be familiar with 'sardine girl summer.'
But now it's the boys' turn: 2025 is officially 'therapy bro summer.'
More men than ever are getting help for their mental health — and The Post spoke to several therapists to find out what's bringing them in.
4 The Post is declaring 2025 'therapy bro summer.'
Malik/peopleimages.com – stock.adobe.com
Therapy in 2025 — the hottest health craze?
Therapy's undergone a bit of a rebranding in the past couple of decades, with celebrities and social media users being increasingly more open about their experiences with anxiety, depression and addiction — destigmatizing once super-taboo subjects and inspiring more and more people to seek out help.
'As the stigma associated with mental health treatment continues to lift, men are definitely more proactive about seeking help in a way that previous generations of men might not have been,' John Montagna, MHC-LP at Greenwich House's Center for Resiliency and Wellness, told The Post.
But while women have always tended to be a bit more comfortable talking about their feelings, men have trailed a bit further behind.
That's why it's been so notable that world-class athletes like Olympian Michael Phelps, NBA Star DeMar DeRozan and Pro Football Hall of Famer Brian Dawkins have spoken out about their struggles — and shows like 'Shrinking' on AppleTV+ spotlight mega-stars like Harrison Ford and Jason Segel in the field.
'The combination of social media, therapy becoming mainstream in TV and movies, evolving and exciting changes to gender roles, and the fierce courage of popular celebrities and athletes have created a perfect storm of onward momentum,' added Dr. Rachel Ginsberg, a psychologist at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center.
'I often reference a scene from 'It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia' where one of the main characters resists therapy, and after a poignant expression of his feelings, he yells, 'You unzipped me!''
But it's not just that men are depressed — many are simply seeking a better understanding of themselves in an effort to be happier.
4 Therapy is becoming less taboo thanks to celebrities and social media.
Viacheslav Yakobchuk – stock.adobe.com
What women want
Then, of course, there are the women in their lives — or ones they're hoping to attract.
'Women want to be with men who are self-aware, emotionally intelligent and good listeners, with the capacity to notice, feel, validate and step outside of themselves to really see and care for the other,' said Ginsberg.
'The more that men can become vulnerable and in touch with their emotions, the better their lives will be.' Dr. Kathryn Smerling
'They want to be with men who have both humility and confidence and are not afraid to reflect, grow, call themselves out and communicate.'
She notes that dating apps now have prompts that reference therapy, including, 'My therapist would say I…'
'This is a testament to how therapy rhetoric is becoming a way of letting your guard down and building connection with others,' she explained.
Psychotherapist Dr. Kathryn Smerling said a man in therapy is seen as a 'green flag' to many young women, showing that they want to undestand themselves more
'They are interested and curious about ways they can better themselves, which means they can then bring that emotional intelligence and care to a romantic relationship,' she went on.
'We also hear a lot more now about the importance of men embracing their emotions and not bottling things up — that it is necessary for men to be vulnerable if they want to have a healthy relationship.'
4 A lot of men are working on themselves to be better partners — and many women say they won't date men who aren't open to therapy.
Prostock-studio – stock.adobe.com
In fact, a survey released in May by the dating app Hilly found that 55% of Gen Z women refuse to date a man if he's not at least willing to go to therapy, and 45% find people who do therapy more attractive.
That number bumps to 55% for millennial women.
'Self-actualization — emotional literacy, authentic confidence, humility and the ability to make healthy choices — will naturally make someone an attractive mate and a better partner in any relationship, romantic or otherwise,' Montagna added.
Happy mood, happy dude
But while it's a good way to boost your romantic prospects, that's a pretty big commitment — of time and money — just to get a date.
According to all three of our experts, men are increasingly getting their heads shrunk for a bunch of reasons, from better family life to emotional regulation.
'People are now looking internally and intentionally trying to have a better work/life balance,' said Smerling, author of Learning to Play Again: Rediscovering Our Early Selves to Become Better Adults.
'Men are also becoming more involved with their children. Very often they seek therapy because they want a better relationship with their kids.'
4 Men are also looking to have better relationships with their families.
Andrii Zastrozhnov – stock.adobe.com
It's not just young guys, either. Smerling has a lot of patients in their 40s and 50s, and Montagna and Ginsberg both say that have patients of all ages — but how old they are might influence how they come to therapy.
'Younger men have been socialized differently,' said Ginsberg. 'While younger men are more active and willing to pursue therapy, older men will seek therapy too, particularly around life transitions, such as health events, change in roles or jobs, around loss or retirement, or at the elbowing of family/friends.'
Ready for 'therapy bro summer'?
Still not so psyched to see a psychologist? The pros say you've got nothing to lose — and everything to gain.
'The more that men can become vulnerable and in touch with their emotions, the better their lives will be, and the healthier all of their relationships will be — not just romantically,' said Smerling.
To really get the most out of it, Ginsberg urges doing it for the 'right reasons' — and setting concrete goals to 'feel more tethered to a return on your investment.'
And make sure your 'therapy bro summer' turns into an 'introspective autumn' and 'emotional vulnerable winter.'
'There is no shame in seeking help to cope with your emotions, just as there would be no shame in visiting an eye doctor if your vision was blurry!' said Montagna, the lead mental health counselor for the Resilient Men group therapy program at CRW.
'We are no doubt living in a time when masculinity is being redefined, and men are seeking guidance to navigate a rapidly changing social, political and economic landscape. But we can succeed and thrive if we aren't afraid to seek support.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Post
7 hours ago
- New York Post
It's ‘therapy bro summer': Why more men are getting mental health help — it's not just to get laid
You've certainly heard of 'hot girl summer.' You may be familiar with 'sardine girl summer.' But now it's the boys' turn: 2025 is officially 'therapy bro summer.' More men than ever are getting help for their mental health — and The Post spoke to several therapists to find out what's bringing them in. 4 The Post is declaring 2025 'therapy bro summer.' Malik/ – Therapy in 2025 — the hottest health craze? Therapy's undergone a bit of a rebranding in the past couple of decades, with celebrities and social media users being increasingly more open about their experiences with anxiety, depression and addiction — destigmatizing once super-taboo subjects and inspiring more and more people to seek out help. 'As the stigma associated with mental health treatment continues to lift, men are definitely more proactive about seeking help in a way that previous generations of men might not have been,' John Montagna, MHC-LP at Greenwich House's Center for Resiliency and Wellness, told The Post. But while women have always tended to be a bit more comfortable talking about their feelings, men have trailed a bit further behind. That's why it's been so notable that world-class athletes like Olympian Michael Phelps, NBA Star DeMar DeRozan and Pro Football Hall of Famer Brian Dawkins have spoken out about their struggles — and shows like 'Shrinking' on AppleTV+ spotlight mega-stars like Harrison Ford and Jason Segel in the field. 'The combination of social media, therapy becoming mainstream in TV and movies, evolving and exciting changes to gender roles, and the fierce courage of popular celebrities and athletes have created a perfect storm of onward momentum,' added Dr. Rachel Ginsberg, a psychologist at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center. 'I often reference a scene from 'It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia' where one of the main characters resists therapy, and after a poignant expression of his feelings, he yells, 'You unzipped me!'' But it's not just that men are depressed — many are simply seeking a better understanding of themselves in an effort to be happier. 4 Therapy is becoming less taboo thanks to celebrities and social media. Viacheslav Yakobchuk – What women want Then, of course, there are the women in their lives — or ones they're hoping to attract. 'Women want to be with men who are self-aware, emotionally intelligent and good listeners, with the capacity to notice, feel, validate and step outside of themselves to really see and care for the other,' said Ginsberg. 'The more that men can become vulnerable and in touch with their emotions, the better their lives will be.' Dr. Kathryn Smerling 'They want to be with men who have both humility and confidence and are not afraid to reflect, grow, call themselves out and communicate.' She notes that dating apps now have prompts that reference therapy, including, 'My therapist would say I…' 'This is a testament to how therapy rhetoric is becoming a way of letting your guard down and building connection with others,' she explained. Psychotherapist Dr. Kathryn Smerling said a man in therapy is seen as a 'green flag' to many young women, showing that they want to undestand themselves more 'They are interested and curious about ways they can better themselves, which means they can then bring that emotional intelligence and care to a romantic relationship,' she went on. 'We also hear a lot more now about the importance of men embracing their emotions and not bottling things up — that it is necessary for men to be vulnerable if they want to have a healthy relationship.' 4 A lot of men are working on themselves to be better partners — and many women say they won't date men who aren't open to therapy. Prostock-studio – In fact, a survey released in May by the dating app Hilly found that 55% of Gen Z women refuse to date a man if he's not at least willing to go to therapy, and 45% find people who do therapy more attractive. That number bumps to 55% for millennial women. 'Self-actualization — emotional literacy, authentic confidence, humility and the ability to make healthy choices — will naturally make someone an attractive mate and a better partner in any relationship, romantic or otherwise,' Montagna added. Happy mood, happy dude But while it's a good way to boost your romantic prospects, that's a pretty big commitment — of time and money — just to get a date. According to all three of our experts, men are increasingly getting their heads shrunk for a bunch of reasons, from better family life to emotional regulation. 'People are now looking internally and intentionally trying to have a better work/life balance,' said Smerling, author of Learning to Play Again: Rediscovering Our Early Selves to Become Better Adults. 'Men are also becoming more involved with their children. Very often they seek therapy because they want a better relationship with their kids.' 4 Men are also looking to have better relationships with their families. Andrii Zastrozhnov – It's not just young guys, either. Smerling has a lot of patients in their 40s and 50s, and Montagna and Ginsberg both say that have patients of all ages — but how old they are might influence how they come to therapy. 'Younger men have been socialized differently,' said Ginsberg. 'While younger men are more active and willing to pursue therapy, older men will seek therapy too, particularly around life transitions, such as health events, change in roles or jobs, around loss or retirement, or at the elbowing of family/friends.' Ready for 'therapy bro summer'? Still not so psyched to see a psychologist? The pros say you've got nothing to lose — and everything to gain. 'The more that men can become vulnerable and in touch with their emotions, the better their lives will be, and the healthier all of their relationships will be — not just romantically,' said Smerling. To really get the most out of it, Ginsberg urges doing it for the 'right reasons' — and setting concrete goals to 'feel more tethered to a return on your investment.' And make sure your 'therapy bro summer' turns into an 'introspective autumn' and 'emotional vulnerable winter.' 'There is no shame in seeking help to cope with your emotions, just as there would be no shame in visiting an eye doctor if your vision was blurry!' said Montagna, the lead mental health counselor for the Resilient Men group therapy program at CRW. 'We are no doubt living in a time when masculinity is being redefined, and men are seeking guidance to navigate a rapidly changing social, political and economic landscape. But we can succeed and thrive if we aren't afraid to seek support.'
New York Post
a day ago
- New York Post
Breakthrough cure for baldness: 100% of male mice regrew fur with new treatment
It's the bald truth. Researchers at San Carlos Clinical Hospital in Madrid have developed a cure for androgenetic alopecia, commonly known as pattern hair loss. An estimated 80 million Americans — 50 million men and 30 million women — experience some form of alopecia, although it affects women differently than men. Advertisement Researchers at San Carlos Clinical Hospital in Madrid have developed a cure for androgenetic alopecia — commonly known as pattern hair loss. Phimchanok – Men usually go through a receding hairline and bald spots, whereas women get thinner at the part line but rarely go fully bald. In the study — published in the journal Stem Cell Research and Therapy — researchers used a combo of fat‑tissue-derived stem cells and the energy molecule ATP to reverse hair loss in mice, with shocking results. Advertisement All of the male mice grew back their coats. Half had full regrowth, while the other half had intensive regrowth. Among females, a whopping 90% saw intense or complete hair revival. Eduardo López Bran, head of the Dermatology Department at the Hospital Clínico San Carlos, explained that their special method 'stimulates hair regeneration by combining the regenerative capacity of the former with the energy provided by the latter. This synergy favors the recovery of the hair follicle, promoting hair growth.' While the findings will need to be replicated in human trials, the results pave a promising way forward in the fight against hair loss. Advertisement All of the male mice grew back their coats. Among females, a whopping 90% saw intense or complete hair revival. Javier – 'In the future, we will be able to offer new solutions that allow us to meet patients' expectations, allowing them access to new treatments that prioritize their well-being,' Eduardo López Bran said. It's an exciting development in an area where there's plenty of room for growth. Advertisement While hair transplant surgery is on the rise, many people don't realize that it actually often takes several procedures to achieve the desired result. 'An alarming trend is patients who now go to perform a hair transplant by a physician who does not consult the patient about his or her hair loss nor is he actively involved in the surgery,' Texas facial plastic surgeon and hair restoration expert Dr. Samuel Lam previously told The Post. He noted that this troubling practice is 'most rampant' in Turkey — where hair transplant surgery has exploded due to its relative affordability — but it is 'also extremely prevalent in the US, unfortunately.' Meanwhile, some men have been vocal about how post-finasteride syndrome (PFS) — a condition in which someone experiences severe side effects after they stop using finasteride — has completely upended their lives. One woman even recently chronicled how PFS destroyed her husband's sex drive — and ended their marriage. Researchers are racing to find new, safer and more affordable hair loss treatments, inventing non-hormonal pills and gummies and repurposing older drugs to find a sustainable solution.
New York Post
a day ago
- New York Post
Summer creates the ‘perfect storm' for this painful issue — especially if you hit the beach
Summer is here — and according to one OBGYN, there's more to fear. If you're part of the half of the population with a vagina, the hottest months of the year create a much higher risk for a very common — but extremely uncomfortable — issue. Fortunately, Dr. Carly Ross broke down some easy steps that can help you prevent a flare-up. Advertisement 3 Ross called summer the 'perfect storm' for UTIs. Alvov – 'Summer activities create the perfect storm for urinary tract infection (UTI) development,' Ross, a Winx Health Advisor, told The Post, 'The combination of heat, humidity, and dehydration weakens your immune system, making it harder to fight off infections.' UTIs begin when bacteria enter the urethra and multiply, infecting the urinary tract. UTIs develop due to genetic disposition, sexual activity, hormonal imbalances, medical conditions, compromised immunity, or poor hygiene. 'E. coli, which typically lives harmlessly in your intestinal tract, can become problematic if it reaches your urinary tract, a journey made easier by summer activities,' said Ross. Advertisement A 2023 study estimated that meat contaminated with E. coli causes around half a million UTIs in the US each year. UTIs are 30 times more common in female populations due to urethra length and anal proximity. Symptoms of a UTI include the urgent need to urinate, a burning sensation when peeing, pressure or pain in the lower abdomen or pelvic region, cloudy or blood-tinged urine, and urine with a strong odor. Advertisement 3 A 2023 study estimated that meat contaminated with E. Coli causes around half a million UTIs in the US each year. Getty Images How to prevent UTIs this summer According to Ross, certain preventative measures can save you from the ultimate summer bummer. 'Incorporate daily habits like drinking water to flush out bacteria, as well as maintaining urinary hygiene by wiping from front to back after using the bathroom,' said Ross. Advertisement Holding your pee is another common culprit of UTIS. Studies have shown that holding it for too long can cause the bacteria responsible for the infection to multiply — so if you need to go, let it flow! She also recommends limiting caffeine and alcohol, as both can irritate the bladder. A common summer sin is lounging around in a wet bathing suit, a habit Ross says can wreak havoc on your health. 'Spending extended periods in wet bathing suits creates the perfect breeding ground for bacteria. Opt for clean, breathable cotton underwear and change promptly after swimming or excessive sweating.' While some experts maintain that going commando, especially at night, is primo for vaginal health, if you must opt for underwear, Ross urges women to go for a clean, 100% cotton pair to prevent bacterial growth and keep moisture levels balanced. 3 A common summer sin is lounging around in a wet bathing suit, a habit Ross says can wreak havoc on your health. New Africa – Because sexual activity increases UTI risk, Ross recommends urinating as soon as possible after intercourse to 'flush out any bacteria that may have entered the urinary tract.' What to do if you have a UTI Advertisement While there are myriad treatment options for a UTI, Ross warned that many mask symptoms but fail to address the infection. 'Cranberry supplements and juice help ease the pain, but ultimately, UTIs need a proper diagnosis and Rx treatment to eliminate the infection. There are now at-home tests with clear digital results that can connect you directly with a doctor for immediate prescription to a local pharmacy. If the pattern continues, you should see a medical professional in person.' UTIs are among the most common infections worldwide, affecting 50% to 60% of women at some point in their lives, and they seem to be becoming more prevalent. The disease burden rose by more than 68% between 1990 and 2019, recent research found. Advertisement Antibiotics are the primary cure for UTIs as they eliminate the bacteria that cause the infection. Unfortunately, studies indicate that the bacteria that cause UTIs are becoming more resistant to antibiotics, making these infections more dangerous than ever. Part of this resistance can be attributed to meat consumption, as animals treated with antibiotics can develop resistance to those drugs that's transferred to humans. Shop This Story Winx Health Vaginal Health Probiotic Keep your privates happy with Winx Health Vaginal Health Probiotic. OBGYN-approved and formulated for a balanced pH, it's FSA/HSA eligible and comes in discrete shipping, too. $29.00 $28.00 Buy Now Winx Health Liners Value Pack Cover yourself — and your favorite undies. The Winx Health Liners keep you comfortable while treating yeast infections and UTIs, plus they are soft, breathable and hypoallergenic. $32.00 $16.00 Buy Now Winx Health Vaginal Wellness Kit This Vaginal Wellness Kit from Winx Health comes with a 2-month supply of our Vaginal Health Probiotic and UTI Daily Protection Supplement. With an almost perfect 5-star rating, customers praise it for its effectiveness. see price New York Post may be compensated and/or receive an affiliate commission if you buy something through our links.
