Foundation for Male Studies Normalization: Depathologizing Male Behavior To Create A New Treatment Paradigm Alan Ellis, LCSW, Gerard Treacy, LCSW, & Edward Stephens, MD

Presenter Disclosures The following personal financial relationships with commercial interests relevant to this presentation existed during the past 12 months: Alan R. Ellis, LCSW No relationships to disclose

Key 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?

From The Male Brain Brizendine, Louann MD, 2010

“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 Male Brain development and are adaptive, not pathological

Gur, Raquel MD, et. Al. Are we wired differently?

Reframing Male Profiling Aggressive Predatory Impulsive Threatening Pathological Normative Territorial Sexually focused Action-oriented Quick to Anger

Implications for Psychotherapy Normalization/Validation Normalization/Validation “If you weren’t angry, I’d think there would be something wrong with you!” “If you weren’t angry, I’d think there would be something wrong with you!” Education and training for therapists Education and training for therapists Education for family/partner Education for family/partner

Focus based on using male proclivities (strengths?) and brain anatomy Focus based on using male proclivities (strengths?) and brain anatomy Complementary with CBT strategies of reframing and cognitive distortions Complementary with CBT strategies of reframing and cognitive distortions

CONCLUSIONS/RECOMMENDATIONS Gender, age and stage of BOTH client and service provider need to be considered for treatment Gender, age and stage of BOTH client and service provider need to be considered for treatment Program Development Implications Program Development Implications Groups may be less threatening, reduce shaming, and facilitate problem-solving Groups may be less threatening, reduce shaming, 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.