Abstract
Therapy with young men is a guide for adapting clinical practice to meet the needs of males in their adolescence or early adulthood. We are greeted with an enthusiastic tone from the start that inspires the reader to embrace the different needs of young men and implores them to notice that this can be a highly successful and rewarding process and not simply a reluctant add-on to our therapeutic endeavours.
The opening chapter explores ‘the culture of young men’, in which the author acknowledges the dominant themes males are exposed to within Western culture. He draws on both academic theory and research alongside popular culture to illustrate these themes. Five major different ways in which males differ from females are described: the greater prevalence of behavioural problems among men, the prevalence of drug and alcohol use, a male proclivity towards a ‘command and conquer’ orientation, the greater stigma associated with mental health treatment for men, and the higher rates of completed suicide among young males. The chapter ends with an interesting foray into identity and the transition between adolescence and manhood.
In subsequent chapters, ‘Prelude to therapy’, ‘Setting the stage for change’, ‘Principles and pitfalls’ and ‘Beginning therapy: the first sessions’, we are introduced to the theoretical spine of this approach. This is described as a synthesis of motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioural therapy and positive psychology. As the narrative behind this cocktail unfolds it becomes clear to the reader that this is a coalition of value where all parties gain. In particular the author’s application of motivational interviewing methods offers a coherent and powerful solution to many of the challenges of working with this client group. The reader is given rich descriptions throughout the book of CBT methods and is informed about how these can be used effectively in sessions. However, the positive psychology element felt at times squeezed out and I would have been interested to hear more about positive psychology interventions (Duckworth, Steen, & Seligman, 2005) that could be used in a gender sensitive way.
One of the major strengths of this book is the case vignettes, which are woven into each chapter in order to illustrate the author’s approach as we follow the narratives of three young men. Alongside academic theory and research, this provides a further way of evidencing the utility and success of the ideas in the book, with clear verbatim extracts from sessions and descriptions of the way therapy developed with each young man. A second major triumph is that it is packed full of specific practical advice for the clinician to draw on in sessions, including how to assess for protective factors, how to set the right tone to help young men engage in therapy, rapport building and socialisation to the therapy process, seven traps therapists should avoid, how to deal with the first session with parents and child together, as well as the initial session with the client on their own, and an astonishing number of specific techniques and ideas for using directly in client work.
Later chapters include ‘Improving emotional intelligence’, ‘Sexuality issues in therapy’ and ‘Skills to manage behavioural and substance problems’. These continue in the same conversational but evidence-based style offering further practical hints and tips as well as checklists and questionnaires to use during sessions. As a final twist the author offers his thoughts in a chapter entitled ‘Therapy and the techno-client’, which provides a refreshing positivity towards the role technology could play in therapeutic work. In conclusion, Therapy with young men provides a comprehensive, flexible and creative approach to working with this client group. It is a must-read for anyone involved in clinical work with adolescents and young men. The author succeeds powerfully and movingly in illustrating his vision that work with young men can be both ‘extraordinary’ and great ‘fun’.