How Do I Help Him?: A Practitioners Guide To Working With Boys And Men In Therapeutic Settings

The world we are rapidly creating is grappling with the issue of what differentiates the sexes more profoundly and universally now than at any other time in human history.In the final chapter of "How Do I Help Him?" Michael states, "I believe this condition, alienation-from-male-hierarchy-development, is far more destructive to young males than we might at first realize." In the Western World, what defines this hierarchy is now in an almost constant state of change. I believe much of this change is for the better. What does not change, however, is each individual male's inherent NEED to find his place within said hierarchies even as such continue to evolve and change. Half the world's population is male. Our families, our institutions, our future all depend upon the male-half of society finding his place alongside his human brothers. For the first time in human history our brothers are global brothers. As our world changes, men MUST understand how our hierarchies are changing. THIS is the challenge of the 21st century for every culture on the planet. Before you can address a challenge, you must define it. Michael has defined this challenge like no one else and set forth a dynamic clinical groundwork for a strong future of understanding and bonding between boys and men.Michael's work is as profound as it is homecoming to the male experience.

I am Gail Reid-Gurian, a marriage and family therapist. I've never reviewed Michael's books before because, well, it would look strange to do so, since I am his wife. I'm obviously biased. But I wanted to review this book because of its importance to people like myself, especially women, in the psychology field. Michael's twenty years as a mental health counselor come through strongly in this book, and his approach to working with boys and men is revolutionary. It is very important to women therapists (and we make up about 80% of the therapists in practice). It is also very important to residential treatment centers, juvenile justice systems, and corrections. I hope practitioners and policy makers will look closely at this book. We can't keep losing boys and men to therapy, and we can't keep developing psychological theories that mainly involve just sitting and talking. Males walk out the door too quickly. I hope you'll read this book and use the new approaches it outlines in detail.

I am a licensed mental health counselor and have found many therapeutic books heavy on theory and light on practical suggestions for improving our effectiveness with clients. This book is a refreshing change! Michael Gurian not only gives solid, research-based foundations for his approach he provides a range of specific strategies in working with males. I found his suggestions regarding peripatetic counseling and how to work with male anger and aggression particularly valuable. Michael's book is a definite must-read for anyone whose practice involves helping men and boys.

This book has a lot of great info for mental health professionals!