A Multi-level Guide to Work with Male Clients in Couple and Family Therapy from a Gender-critical Perspective

ABSTRACT For relational therapists who are acutely aware of male privilege, working with male clients may be challenging, including in (but not limited to) couple and family therapy. This challenge may be particularly true for beginning therapists. This paper outlines a guide to working in relational therapy with male clients from a gender-critical and socio-culturally attuned perspective. To this aim, the paper first summarizes a framework for gender-critical therapists to work with male clients. It then outlines recommendations based on the clients’ level of endorsement or relationship to gender-normative masculinity (i.e., stereotypical, challenged, and disempowered relationship to masculinity). In the final sections, clinical vignettes show the application of some of these recommendations. This guide will benefit relational therapists who are questioning their ability to work with male clients in an inclusive fashion while remaining truthful to their gender-critical views.