Coffee & Conversations for MEN 🎙️
Episode #24 Therapy Isn't What You Think It Is (Especially for MEN)
00.50 Episode Overview
What comes to mind when you hear the word therapy?
For many men, it brings hesitation, uncertainty, or the belief that it’s only necessary when life is falling apart.
In this episode, we challenge that narrative and open up an honest, practical conversation
about what therapy really is, and why it matters.
Jay and Brian sit down with Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) Kim Stuart to explore how therapy can be a powerful tool for growth, self-awareness, and building stronger relationships.
With nearly 30 years in education, including 13 years as a secondary school principal. Kim brings both professional expertise and real-life perspective to her work. Her approach is rooted in compassion, curiosity, and collaboration, creating a safe space for people to reflect, heal, and grow.
This conversation breaks down the barriers, removes the stigma, and reminds us of one simple truth:
Strength isn’t about carrying everything alone.
Strength is having the courage to understand yourself.
03:40 What's In Your Cup?
Jay: Kicking House : Happy Camper
Brian: Tall Boy Roaster: Brazil Espresso
What We Talk About
07:30 What to expect in your first therapy session
09:40 Therapy explained simply (CBT, ACT, Narrative)
15:44 Why therapy isn’t just for crisis
17:35 Why men hesitate—and what changes that
21:13 How therapy fits into a busy life
22:25 Where therapy makes the biggest impact
23:00 The cost of avoiding stress and burnout
25:00 Why personal experience shapes belief in therapy
27:50 Finding the right therapist and when to move on
36:10 What to look for (and red flags)
37:09 Why discomfort can be part of growth
14:07 What men discover about themselves in therapy
51:50 What progress really looks like
51:52 How to prepare for your first session
53:58 A message for men who are quietly struggling
Therapeutic Approaches Mentioned — Quick Glossary
CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy)
Explores the connection between thoughts, emotions, and behaviours. Helps you recognize unhelpful patterns, examine them more objectively.
ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy)
Helps you make room for difficult thoughts and emotions rather than becoming caught in a struggle with them. It supports you in clarifying your values and taking actions that align with what matters to you.
Narrative Therapy
Helps you externalize problems so they are understood as separate from your identity. It explores the stories that have shaped how you understand yourself and supports you in re-authoring those stories.
Solution-Focused Therapy
Focuses less on analyzing problems and more on identifying your goals, recognizing what is already working, and building on exceptions, strengths, and small steps toward change.
Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT)
Helps you understand and process emotions while exploring attachment patterns that influence how you relate to yourself and others.
Strength-Based Therapy
Focuses on your existing strengths, abilities, resources, and resilience to build confidence, agency, and capacity for change.
Books Referenced
Buford, B. (1994). Half time: Moving from success to significance. Zondervan.
Cole, T. (2023). Too much: A guide to breaking the cycle of high-functioning codependency. Penguin Random House.
Payne, A. (2025). The vagus nerve protocol: 28 days in 10 minutes.
Kim, J. (2020). I used to be a miserable f*ck: An everyman’s guide to a meaningful life*. HarperOne.
Contact
Kim Stuart
Clinical Director & Founder, Bridge to Hope Inc.
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
Phone: 647-924-1727
Email: [email protected]
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