foundation for male studies normalization: depathologizing male behavior to create a new treatment...
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Foundation for Male Studies
Normalization: Depathologizing Male Behavior To Create A New
Treatment Paradigm
Alan Ellis, LCSW, Gerard Treacy, LCSW, & Edward Stephens, MD
Presenter DisclosuresPresenter Disclosures
The following personal financial relationships with The following personal financial relationships with commercial interests relevant to this presentation commercial interests relevant to this presentation
existed during the past 12 months:existed during the past 12 months:
Alan R. Ellis, LCSW
No relationships to disclose
Key QuestionsKey Questions
What have we learned about the anatomy of the Male brain?
How does the anatomy of the Male brain correlate with Male behavior?
What are the implications of these findings on the
therapeutic encounter?
“Scientists think of brain areas like the TPJ, DPN, and PFC as being “hubs” of brain activation, sending electrical signals to other areas of the brain, causing behaviors to occur or not occur.”
2. TEMPORAL PARIETAL JUNCTION (TPJ): The solution seeker. During interpersonal emotional exchanges, it races toward a “fix-it-fast” solution.
3. DORSAL REMAMMILARY NUCLEUS (DPN): The “defend your turf” area
4. AMYGDALA: Alarm system for fear, threats, and danger
10. PREFRONTAL CORTEX (PFC):The CEO of the brain, an inhibiting system to put the brakes on impulses
“One lesson to women that I learned in writing this book is that understanding the biology of the Male Brain helps us relate better to the ‘male reality’…”
Male Profiling: Negative characterization and distortion of
normative male responses.
These responses are consistent with These responses are consistent with Male Brain development and are Male Brain development and are
adaptive, not pathologicaladaptive, not pathological
Reframing Male Profiling
• Aggressive
• Predatory
• Impulsive
• Threatening
Pathological Normative
• Territorial
• Sexually focused
• Action-oriented
• Quick to Anger
Implications for PsychotherapyImplications for Psychotherapy
Normalization/Validation Normalization/Validation “ “If you weren’t angry, I’d think there would If you weren’t angry, I’d think there would
be something wrong with you!”be something wrong with you!”
Education and training for therapistsEducation and training for therapists
Education for family/partnerEducation for family/partner
Focus based on using male Focus based on using male proclivities (strengths?) and brain proclivities (strengths?) and brain anatomyanatomy
Complementary with CBT strategies Complementary with CBT strategies of reframing and cognitive distortionsof reframing and cognitive distortions
CONCLUSIONS/RECOMMENDATIONSCONCLUSIONS/RECOMMENDATIONS
Gender, age and stage of BOTH client and Gender, age and stage of BOTH client and service provider need to be considered for service provider need to be considered for treatmenttreatment
Program Development ImplicationsProgram Development Implications
Groups may be less threatening, reduce Groups may be less threatening, reduce shaming, and facilitate problem-solvingshaming, and facilitate problem-solving
Coaching as a more effective treatment model?Coaching as a more effective treatment model?
REFERENCES
Brizendine, Louann M.D. (2011). The Male Brain. New York, New York: Three Rivers Press.
Burt, Austin & Trivers, Robert (2006). Genes In Conflict: The Biology Of Selfish Genetic Elements. Cambridge, MA, London, England.
Ellison, Peter T. and Gray, Peter B. (2009). Endocrinology Of Social Relationships. Cambridge, MA and London, England: Harvard University Press.
James, Abigail Norfleet (2007) Teaching the Male Brain: How Boys Think, Feel and Learn In School. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.
Tiger, Lionel (1969, 2007). Men in Groups. New Brunswick, NJ, London, England: Transaction Publishers.
Witelson, Sandra. Excerpt From Transcript of 2012 Male Studies Conference “The Science Of The Male.” New York Academy Of Medicine, October 25, 2012.