The Work of Men: An Opportunity for a Deeper Conversation

Byline: By Destree Thompson, for The West Side Newspaper

Men have more information available to them than ever about what it means to be a man. Podcasts, social media, books, and online communities offer advice about relationships, work, fatherhood, success, strength, and identity. But information isn't the same thing as connection. 

For many men, opportunities for meaningful connection can become harder to find as they move through adulthood. Relationships change. Work and family responsibilities take over. The groups and gathering places that once brought men together may no longer be part of everyday life. What can get lost is a place to talk directly with other men about the things that matter. 

For therapist Stephen Rohrbeck, this is something he experienced personally. In his 20s, he had a core group of male friends who provided a place to have fun, learn how to be part of a group, and talk about hopes, fears, and feelings. It was a trusted space where he could explore what masculinity meant to him and practice vulnerability with other men. 

That experience stayed with him. 

In October, Rohrbeck will begin facilitating The Work of Men, a monthly closed group for men 18 and older at The Enlighten Healing Collective. The group is for men interested in exploring masculinity and the gap between who they think they should be, who they are, and the pressures that can make that gap difficult to navigate. 

Through topical prompts and open discussion, with therapeutic support from Rohrbeck, men will have an opportunity to examine some of the expectations they often carry without talking about them. What does it mean to be strong? Where do our ideas about masculinity come from? What happens when the person we think we're supposed to be doesn't match who we actually are? 

Rohrbeck's approach as a therapist is grounded in the belief that people have autonomy and agency in their lives. His work also explores questions of meaning, values, and what it means to live in a way that feels true to who we are. 

The goal isn't to define one right way to be a man. It's to create a place where men can have a deeper conversation about what that means for them. 

The Work of Men will meet monthly on the second Thursday at The Enlighten Healing Collective, downstairs in Suite 140. The group is closed, so men interested in participating should contact Rohrbeck directly to determine whether openings are available. The group may be covered by insurance or available as an out-of-pocket service.

Creating spaces for meaningful connection is a core value at The Enlighten Healing Collective. Sometimes that starts with simply having a place to show up, sit down, and have a conversation.