Why Men Avoid Therapy — And Why Online Counselling Is Changing That
Men make up roughly half the population but account for a disproportionately small share of people seeking mental health support. According to Beyond Blue, Australian men are significantly less likely than women to seek help for mental health concerns — yet they die by suicide at three times the rate. Something isn't adding up.
The Barriers Men Face
The reasons men avoid therapy are well-documented and largely cultural. Research consistently points to a few key themes:
Stigma — seeking help is still seen by many men as a sign of weakness, not strength
Stoicism — the ingrained idea that men should cope on their own and not burden others
Uncertainty about what therapy involves — many men have never seen healthy emotional expression modelled, making the idea of talking about feelings feel foreign or uncomfortable
Practical barriers — long working hours, difficulty finding a male therapist, and transport to appointments all add friction
Why Online Counselling Is a Game-Changer for Men
Telehealth removes many of the specific barriers that stop men from engaging with mental health care.
There's no waiting room. No one you know seeing you walk into a clinic. No need to explain to your boss why you're leaving early. You can book an evening session from your car, your backyard, or wherever feels right. The whole process is lower-stakes — which makes it easier to take the first step.
Research published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research found that men were significantly more likely to engage with online mental health services compared to traditional in-person formats. The perceived anonymity and control that online sessions offer appears to lower the psychological threshold for help-seeking.
What Men Actually Come to Counselling For
Once men do engage, the range of issues they bring to therapy is broad:
Work stress, burnout, and identity crises
Relationship breakdowns and co-parenting challenges
Anger management and emotional regulation
Grief and loss, including losing a father or mate
Anxiety, depression, and low self-worth
Feeling disconnected or purposeless
A Different Kind of Conversation
At Good Chat Counselling, we work with men in a direct, practical, non-judgmental way. You don't need to have the right words. You don't need to have everything figured out before you reach out. You just need to show up — and we'll take it from there.
Online sessions are available across NSW, VIC, and QLD. Call 1300 181 992 or email hello@goodchatcounselling.com.au.