Men need a safe space too.

Many men have trouble getting in touch with their emotional side. For generations, they have been told that being a man involves being tough. For some, this means avoiding therapy like the plague when it is precisely what many men may need to build resilience.

In the black community, the negative stigma surrounding mental health persists. Instead of seeking professional help for conditions such as depression and anxiety, many in the community resort to self-medication (drugs, opioids, alcohol, etc.) or isolation as a way to manage their problems. This makes it challenging for men to be honest with loved ones and, more importantly, themselves. This toxic illusion of masculine self-reliance ultimately leads to enhanced stress levels and poorer mental health.

Masking pain is a prevalent problem among black men. It is no secret that racism and discrimination are related to adverse mental health consequences.

The repercussions of systemic racism on Black men have been long-lasting and significant. The rise in media stories and photos of police brutality and violence against them has only added insult to injury.

Obtaining mental health support is healthy and normal. Still, the stigma associated with seeking help, coupled with social expectations of what men should and should not do, can lead to men not receiving the mental health assistance they not only need but deserve.

Holly Ashley & Associates provides therapy for men experiencing depression and anxiety, Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD, ADD), struggling with past trauma, experiencing court involvement, challenges in their relationship, anger issues, and more. 

Our approach is unique.

We recognize that a stigma connected to men and mental health exists in our culture. We also know that men and women experience mental health symptoms differently. As a result, men require counseling tailored to their specific needs. We try to normalize therapy for men from the first point of contact. We employ culturally competent,  evidence-based treatment to create an environment where men feel heard, supported, and at ease.

Our therapists work with men who never imagined themselves in therapy. Men who have attempted to address problems on their own are confronted with a crisis in their family, job, or relationship that has become too overwhelming. Men who may not realize they are suffering from past trauma that is preventing them from moving forward with their lives. Men who have tried and failed various forms of therapy. Men who have been told by their significant other that if they do not seek therapy, the relationship would end.

Our mission is to assist men at all stages of life in breaking free from whatever is holding them back. If this describes you, or someone you know, reach out today to start the healing process.