Men’s Issues therapists in Bloomington, IL
Browse Men’s Issues therapists in Bloomington, Illinois. Compare credentials, specialties and therapeutic approach. Contact a therapist to learn more.
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Tim Jenkins
Counselor/Therapist, LCPC
Men need men to talk to. But men do not talk to other men. This is possibly from fathers not talking to sons, or the often acute social anxiety when men speak to each other in ways that make them vulnerable. But in the sanctity of my office, or virtual office, we talk frankly about men. We share stories of challenges, successes and failures. And we do so, without judgment or scorn. And most importantly, as a 50 year old man, I have ground some of the same grist for the mill that you have. I have answers to the things you would be embarrassed to talk with your physician about and I talk about those things in an honest and frank manner. And all without any judgement or scorn. This is a safe place.
26 Years Experience
In-Person in Bloomington, IL 61704
Online in Bloomington, IL
Philadelphia Couples Therapy
Psychologist, PsyD
In many societies and cultures, men have been conditioned to believe that voicing or showing their emotions equates to a lack of control or power. In other words, men have come to expect that when they authentically display their emotions, they must be weak or something must be “wrong.” Largely, this is due to very real social pressures and repercussions where boys, teens, and adult men are shamed by being bullied, targeted, or physically hurt. As such, these instances can lead to some men feeling as though they are less masculline or are not fulfilling their expected gender role. Therefore, it is crucial to understand that the way men operate is inherently different from women, not because of their gender, but because their behaviors are a byproduct of a system that has reinforced oftentimes ineffective and/or damaging strategies of emotional display to combat real or imagined shame (i.e., physical violence, aggression, name-calling, shutting down, etc.). Instead, what we hope to provide at PCT is a new space in which men are able to safely explore themselves without fear of judgment. Thus, leading to the understanding that a man’s emotional responses to internal and external experiences are a human process, not one that is solely based on gender or gender role expectations.
More often than not, when men enter therapy, much of the work centers around learning how and why they learned to cope with difficult thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Most importantly, though, men are given a space to authentically “be” in a way that society does not always permit. They are able to speak without fear of judgment and think with a renowned sense of emotional awareness. It is this process that ultimately brings men the most fulfillment in their relationships. When we teach men that they are allowed to feel and communicate the emotions that are inherent to every human being, we give them the tools to see a world that they did not previously have access to. In other words, therapy gives men the permission to be the fullest version of themselves for themselves and for those around them.
23 Years Experience
Online in Bloomington, IL
Dr. Jenny Shields
Psychologist
Dr. Jenny Shields isn’t a “men’s therapist.” But a lot of men end up in her office—and stay—because her style just works. She’s direct, honest, and knows how to cut through the noise. No psychobabble. No pressure to bare your soul. Just a steady, grounded space where you can talk things through, figure out what’s not working, and get the kind of support that actually helps.
Many of the men she works with wouldn’t have called themselves “therapy people.” They’re used to solving problems on their own, holding it together, doing what needs to be done. But lately? The stress is constant. The anger shows up out of nowhere. The motivation’s gone. Or maybe life threw something unexpected—a loss, a health scare, a career shift—and suddenly the old ways of coping aren’t cutting it.
Dr. Shields gets it. She blends straight talk with genuine warmth and just the right amount of humor. Her approach is built on trust, practical tools, and real conversation. Using evidence-based therapies like ACT and CBT, she helps men get clear on what matters, get unstuck from what doesn’t, and move forward in a way that feels solid, honest, and fully their own.
This isn’t about fixing you. It’s about giving you room to breathe—and someone you can trust to walk alongside you while you figure out what comes next.
12 Years Experience
Online in Bloomington, IL
Bergen Counseling Collective
Counselor/Therapist, LCPC
You were taught to handle things on your own. Push through. Don't complain. Provide. And maybe that worked for a while, but now something's off. The anger that flares too fast. The numbness that's settled in. The sense that you're going through the motions but not really present in your own life. Asking for help can feel like failure when you've been told your whole life that needing help is weakness. It's not. It takes more strength to look at what's not working than to keep pretending everything's fine. We offer a space where you can be honest without judgment. Telehealth throughout Illinois. BCBS PPO and Aetna accepted.
20 Years Experience
Online in Bloomington, IL
Merrisa Dawn Santos
Licensed Professional Counselor, MA, LPC, NCC, CCTMHP, CCTP
In addressing men's issues, I provide a supportive and understanding space to explore the challenges and concerns unique to men. Through therapy, we examine various aspects such as societal expectations, gender roles, relationships, mental health, and identity. I offer strategies to help men navigate issues such as stress, anger, depression, anxiety, or relationship difficulties. Additionally, we explore ways to promote emotional expression, build resilience, and foster healthier coping mechanisms. The goal is to empower men to prioritize their mental health and well-being, develop a more authentic sense of self, and lead fulfilling lives.
5 Years Experience
Online in Bloomington, IL (Online Only)
Men’s Issues therapists in Bloomington, IL Statistics
Men’s Issues therapists in Bloomington, IL average 16 years of experience and charge around $211 per session. 100% offer online sessions. The top treatment approaches are Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) (66%), Person-Centered Therapy (Rogerian) (44%), and Existential / Humanistic Therapy (39%).
Average years in practice
16 Years Experience
Average cost per session
$211
Accept insurance
43%
Offer sliding scale
38%
Gender ID
| 59% |
Male |
|
| 32% |
Female |
|
| 5% |
Gender Fluid |
|
| 4% |
Non-Binary |
|
Session Type
| 64% |
In Person and Online |
|
| 36% |
Online Only |
|
Top Treatment Approaches
| 66% | Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) |
| 44% | Person-Centered Therapy (Rogerian) |
| 39% | Existential / Humanistic Therapy |
| 39% | Psychodynamic Therapy |
| 38% | Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) |
| 35% | Family Systems Therapy |
| 30% | Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) |
Ages Served
| 100% | Adult |
| 71% | Young Adult |
| 62% | Senior |
| 37% | Teen |
| 18% | Children |
Client Focus
| 66% | Men |
| 53% | LGBTQ+ |
| 48% | Women |
| 33% | Military / Veterans |
| 30% | Christian |