Exploring Boys and Men's Mental Health

Exploring Boys and Men’s Mental Health (3HR)

$45.00

Course Description

This training course on boys’ and men’s mental health provides clinicians with a comprehensive understanding of the unique strengths, challenges, and gendered experiences that shape the mental health of male clients across the lifespan. Participants will explore how societal norms, masculinity expectations, and developmental factors influence emotional expression, help-seeking behavior, and mental health outcomes. The course includes guidance on assessing the specific needs and goals of boys and men, with attention to cultural, relational, and identity-based influences. Clinicians will gain practical therapeutic strategies to build rapport, foster emotional resilience, and promote psychological well-being, while leveraging client strengths and addressing common issues such as depression, anxiety, trauma, and relational difficulties.

Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to:

Identify at least three critical issues in boys and men’s mental health.
Describe appropriate methods of assessment and psychotherapy interventions for boys and men.
Explain the impact of social, cultural, psychological, and environmental influences on boys and men’s mental health.

Social workers completing this course receive 3 Clinical asynchronous continuing education credits.

For other board approvals, this course qualifies for 3 hours of Clinical continuing education training.

Course Instructor: Diane Bigler, LCSW, LSCSW

Recording Date: 04/11/2026

Course Format

NBCC ACEP # 7091, CE Training Workshops has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP #7091. Programs that do not qualify are clearly identified. CE Training Workshops is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. CE Training Workshops designates this continuing education activity for 3 continuing education hours.

CE Training Workshops, LLC, #1770, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 08/02/2025 to 08/02/2028. Social workers completing this course receive 3 Clinical continuing education credits.

Meet Your Facilitator

Diane Bigler, LCSW, LSCSW, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Missouri and Kansas with over 25 years of experience in the mental health field. She has held clinical positions as an outpatient and in-home therapist, and clinical supervisor. Diane was an Adjunct Professor of Social Work for 10 years at The University of Kansas, School of Social Welfare, and a Field Liaison and Field Instructor. She has also held administrative positions as a Program Director and Coordinator.

Diane is a popular local and national trainer on a wide variety of mental health and workplace development topics for clinicians and corporations. Diane is most passionate about providing quality professional development to clinicians, employees, and leaders. For fun, Diane loves to spoil her four Dachshunds and rock out to 80’s music.

Syllabus

Introduction

This course explores the unique social, cultural, and psychological factors that influence male mental health. Participants will examine barriers to help-seeking, common clinical presentations, and practical strategies for engaging male clients in effective, emotionally informed care.

Objective 1: Understand the Foundations of Male Mental Health

Participants will review key statistics, prevalence rates, and common misconceptions related to male mental health. The course will explore barriers that often prevent men from seeking support and engaging in treatment.

Objective 2: Examine Social and Cultural Influences

This section focuses on how gender norms, cultural expectations, and stigma shape emotional expression and mental health experiences in men. Participants will examine how these factors influence help-seeking behaviors and therapeutic engagement.

Objective 3: Recognize Clinical Presentation Patterns

Participants will explore common ways mental health concerns present in male clients, including externalizing and internalizing symptoms. The course will address anger, substance use, risk-taking behaviors, and underrecognized presentations of depression and anxiety.

Objective 4: Apply Clinical Strategies for Engagement and Support

Participants will learn practical strategies for building rapport and trust with male clients. Emphasis will be placed on adapting communication styles, supporting emotional awareness, and strengthening emotional regulation skills within therapy.

Summary and Q&A

The course concludes with a review of key concepts and an opportunity for reflection and discussion to support integration into clinical practice.