Men’s mental health: Deconstructing stereotypes on hypermasculinity and creating positive self-identify with the Hero’s Journey paradigm

Help men reclaim purpose and connection through the Hero’s Journey framework—narrative therapy tools for healing trauma and addiction.

This training explores how cultural stereotypes of hypermasculinity impact men’s self-identity and mental health. Joseph Campbell’s 7 Steps of the Hero’s Journey will be explored as the structure for this training, as the Hero’s Journey paradigm offers men a positive framework to better connect themselves to others.

Current cultural stereotypes around hypermasculinity reinforce unrealistic expectations for men about their self-identity. The concept of a “hero’s journey” offers a helpful narrative, focusing on strength through acknowledgement of vulnerability and acceptance of connection. It’s important to recognize that it can be harder than ever for some men to navigate their mental health issues with the added confusion around notions of traditional masculinity.

Using Hero’s Journey as a framework, participants will learn to guide men through trauma and addiction recovery. Focusing on strength through vulnerability and connection. This training provides practical strategies grounded in narrative therapy to help clients reframe negative self-narratives and find purpose in their struggles. Therapists will gain tools to structure sessions using the seven steps of the “Hero’s Journey” and receive practical worksheets to support clients between sessions.

Learning objectives:

• Learn how to use the concept of hero as a framework in the treatment of men experiencing the repercussions of trauma and/or addiction, giving purpose to their struggle with shame, vulnerability and fear.
• Grounded within narrative therapy tradition, participants will acquire helpful strategies to break down negative self-narrative and move to a more positive and hopeful narrative.
• Learn how to utilize Joseph Campbell’s seven steps of the Hero’s Journey to provide structure to sessions in their own work.
• Study, examine and use practical worksheets to support clients between sessions.