Men and Depression with Lou Lipsitz, LCSW

Discussions of men and their emotions often lead us into confusing territory. Though more men are seeking therapy, we also encounter in the psychology literature the paradigm of “normal male alexithymia” (the loss of connection with one’s emotions) – which is treated as appropriate for understanding most American men. In this presentation, Lou Lipsitz demonstrates how experiences in the so-called “men’s movement” (though it represents only a tiny fraction of men) can help us learn about deeper layers of male experience. In relation to depression in particular, these experiences help us understand what men are afraid of and what can help depressed men heal.

Lou Lipsitz, has been in private practice for twelve years in Chapel Hill and Raleigh. He has a general adult practice with specialties including men’s issues, grief work, depression, creativity and life transitions. He has also worn many other hats, including: poet, political scientist, activist, father and son, all of which have shaped his perspective and therapeutic approach. After his own transformative experience in therapy, Dr. Lipsitz decided to transition from a position as full professor of political science to student of social work, both at UNC-CH. As a psychotherapist, he is particularly interested in the emotional impact of father/child relationships and issues of grief, anger and comradeship in men’s lives. He has been active in the men’s movement and a member of the leadership council of the Triangle Men’s Center in Raleigh. His poetry has been published widely; he is currently working on a book of poems about the process of psychotherapy as experienced by both patient and therapist.