Licensed Professional Counselor, M.Ed., LPC, LCMHC, CCTP, C-DBT, CYMHS
I realize it might be a bit odd for a male therapist to select women's issues as a "specialty," and I did debate it for a bit. I have to say though, the bulk of my experience is with women and teen girls. Some of that has been due to some niche situations, such as my work with trauma (I'm certified in trauma - CCTP) which has brought me many female survivors, teens and adults, of female sexual predators, who seem to find my being male somewhat helpful. Also 10 years providing and supervising crisis services has had me working with everything from domestic violence to post-partum suicidality, agoraphobia, self-worth and identity issues, as well as many other things that disproportionately affect women.
I completely understand why some women may feel more comfortable with a female therapist, since I can't share their lived experiences in the same way. However, I hope my commitment to learning, and listening, has given me a deeper understanding of the emotional complexities many women face. I’ve found that working collaboratively with clients allows us to navigate sensitive issues together, making the process more about mutual understanding than assumptions based on gender.