This is a group for African American men whom are experiencing sadness, anxiety, anger, and frustration from trying to constantly work through the stereotypes of society and the expectations from family and loved ones.

​

​

​

Each day we receive a mountain of unrealistic expectations, roles, and labels, that come from society and often from loved ones.  Sometimes after months or years of feeling the weight of these unrealistic expectations they begin to take a toll on our mind, body, spirit, and emotions.   We are at work and find ourselves more tired than usual.  We find ourselves more irritated at loved ones.  We can feel anxious at activities we once were confident in and enjoyed. 

 

These concerns don't all happen at once.  It can hide within ourselves and come out looking like defensiveness, withdrawing from family and friends, being judgmental towards the self, along with other inauthentic behaviors.  Sometimes our loved ones say, "this doesn't seem like you," "you're not being yourself," or "I wish you would just tell us what's going on with you."    These comments may have one thinking "I wish I could tell you what's going on with me..."  As we go along we begin to feel stress, guilt, or shame at not being able to be there for ourselves or others.  

​

The shame and guilt can also express itself in harmful behaviors such as:

​

• substance use

• thoughts of "I wish I wasn't here," "I don't want to be here anymore..."

• suicide attempts

• abusive relationships

• risky behaviors (ex:risky sexual behaviors, toxic relationships)

 

This is where attending group therapy can help one re-center.  We can begin to give a voice to the parts of ourselves that haven't had space and time to share about what it feels to be wearing many hats and not feeling at home in any of them.  

​

Its time to give permission to our REAL self to take a courageous journey.  Where we can begin to peal back the layers of hurt and hear the voice of our genuine self.  This journey will involve freeing ourselves from the enslavement to the unrealistic expectations and the unrealistic roles we are engaging in daily.  The journey will begin by us being with other heart filled men who will encourage and support growth, love, and freedom.  

​

In the Overcoming Labels Process Group we will address: