Psychotherapy with Older Men

Society imposes a strict masculinity construct on boys and men, dictating how they are expected to behave as a "real man," including the idea that they should not display weakness through mental and emotional issues. As men age, however, it becomes increasingly difficult and even impossible for them to fulfill this role due to the limitations that aging imposes; thus, elderly men may feel ashamed of their seeming inability to cope with these changes while maintaining their traditional male identities, especially regarding physical and mental illness. This book intends to highlight the resulting social stigma older men experience by exploring the context of their lives, the challenges they face, and the clinical process of helping them in counseling and psychotherapy.