Many men experience difficulty forming close satisfying relationships. It is our belief that many people struggle with closeness due to painful historical (largely childhood) experiences where we learned to protect ourselves from closeness due to pain and trauma in our primary relationships. We are also raised in a society that teaches men not to express their vulnerability, equating it with weakness. As a result, many men have a deep desire to form close, loving and supportive relationships with other people (friends, partners, and their children for example), but struggle against their history and social conditioning when trying to do so.
The Circle is intended to help men who have difficulty forming and sustaining close relationships with other people (friends, intimate partners, family etc.). The group space will supportively focus on interactions that happen between group members to bring light to styles of relating and deeper intrapsychic issues that may be interrupting each person's ability to form close satisfying relationships. We will support group members in adapting their interpersonal styles and overcoming the historical challenges, trauma, and social conditioning that inhibits people from forming the kinds of close relationships they desire.
How to Join
We are currently accepting new applicants to The Circle. We will be screening applicants in July and August and plan to start the group in September. The group will run on Monday mornings from 8:30am - 10:00am in Nanuet, NY.
Applicants can apply by submitting an inquiry on the contact page here, or by contacting Ian Laidlaw through the phone number listed on his Psychology Today profile here.