Why is it so hard to find a male therapist in NJ? Counselors say gender gap is hurting men

In the midst of a national mental health crisis, New Jersey psychologists say they have a problem: a dearth of male counselors that makes it harder for men in particular to find help.

Therapists are already in short supply: Facing increased demand, six out of 10 practitioners have stopped seeing new patients, according to a 2022 American Psychological Association survey. In that environment, the chances are slim that a man looking for help will find another man to deliver it.

That’s a concern because many people prefer a counselor who shares their background and life experiences.

“There are just some clients that will do better or feel more comfortable working with a male therapist and there just aren't a lot to choose from," said Michael Tozzoli, CEO of West Bergen Mental Healthcare, a regional behavioral health provider.

Tozzoli's group sees about 2,000 clients a year at offices in Ridgewood and Ramsey. He estimates 85% of his staff of more than 200 therapists is female. When West Bergen hires a male counselor, it's notable, the CEO said.

"When we are hiring, we always look at a male resume that comes in quite carefully because it's certainly an under-represented group and a group that is needed," he said. "When we hire a guy, there's a little bit of a thumbs up, like, 'Hey, we did it!'"

Just 25% of licensed psychologists are men, according to the APA. The demographics are even more lopsided when it comes to professionals under 30. In 2020, a mere 5% of these young psychologists were male, according to "Psychology Today" magazine.

U.S. men account for 80% of deaths by suicide

Rates of anxiety and depression have risen even faster for women than men in the wake of the COVID pandemic, the World Health Organization reported last year. But men are more prone to react to their troubles violently, according to other studies.

Men make up 49% of the population but they account for nearly 80% of all deaths by suicide in the U.S., according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Among men dealing with mental health struggles, “there may be more domestic violence and more expression of anger that's not healthy," Tozzolli said.

Divorce is more common and "you have also less success in the job arena as well. High emotional intelligence and ability to understand other people's feelings is highly correlated with success in the job market and that holds men back, without question. I see it all the time.”

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Mental health experts see a lack of male psychologists contributing to a dangerous cycle: The shortage means fewer men feel comfortable getting help. And fewer interactions with male mental health professionals means fewer males go into the field, further perpetuating the gender imbalance.

The industry does "a good job of dealing with people that come in for therapy," said Tozzolli. But he worries about the people "who don't come in the door or pick up the phone." Men who end psychiatric treatment often blame a “lack of connection or understanding with their therapist,” Connecticut psychologist Jett Stone wrote in a February column for "Psychology Today," citing Australian research from 2021.

'American men are in crisis'

The gender imbalance is "an overlooked gap that impacts us all in an age when American men are in crisis," he warned. "While male therapists are not superior, they are valuable practitioners and should be an option for prospective patients who deserve choice."

A variety of cultural and economic factors have branded mental health as a "feminized" field that struggles to attract males, Stone added. They include the high cost of attaining educational degrees compared with the relatively low salaries and earning potential of the positions. There's also a perceived lack of prestige, Stone said.

There's a lot of discussion in the field about the need for more racial and ethnic diversity. But gender balance among social workers, psychologists and psychiatrists is less discussed, Tozzoli said. Almost 90% of graduates from master's of social work programs were women in 2019, he noted.

The industry needs to reflect more on "what can we do to break the barriers down to get more people in," Tozzolli said.

Raising salaries in counseling professions that have traditionally attracted more women would help, said Debra Wentz, the president of the New Jersey Mental Health Institute which represents practitioners in the state.

“It’s an area that needs to be worked on," she said.

“There have been no particular campaigns, like ‘Be a man and come into this field,” Wentz said, adding, “any position that pays well and gets respect will attract people.”

Stone, the Connecticut psychologist, said the industry needs to be proactive. "A long-term, sustainable plan begins with our sons," he wrote. "We encourage girls to enter STEM fields. We must apply the same efforts toward boys to consider healthcare and education careers."

Gene Myers covers disability and mental health for NorthJersey.com and the USA TODAY Network. For unlimited access to the most important news from your local community, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

Email: myers@northjersey.com

Twitter: @myersgene

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NJ men in crisis hurt by shortage of male mental health therapists