What Happens in a Men's Therapy Session? A Step-by-Step Breakdown

If you're a guy considering therapy for the first time, especially “men's therapy”, you probably have a lot of questions. The biggest one being: How exactly does it work anyway?

And honestly, it makes sense why you would want to know all the details. Therapy can feel mysterious, intimidating, and even uncomfortable at first. Maybe you imagine sitting silently in a room, awkwardly waiting for someone else to speak. Or maybe you're worried you won't know what to say at all. Although these things may happen at times, it's not an accurate representation of what exactly men’s therapy is. 

From First Contact to Last Session: How Men's Therapy Works at Elevate Mental Health

Let’s break down exactly what happens, step-by-step, to take the mystery out of therapy and make your first session feel a little less daunting.

Step 1: Before You Even Walk In

First, you have to make the first move and reach out via our contact form or by giving us a call. At Elevate Mental Health we specialize in men's issues. So you can rest assured that you’ll be speaking with someone who "gets it”. 

From there we move forward with a short phone call or email exchange. This isn't therapy yet just a chance for both of us to ask basic questions. I will be asking you some basic intro questions like: 

• What brings you into therapy?
  - What are you wanting to accomplish?
  - Have you tried therapy before? 

By the end of the call we will have covered other practical stuff as well such as:

• Scheduling
• Cost
• Location or virtual options

The most important part of this phone call will be for you to get a feel for whether or not this therapist feels like a good fit for you.

Step 2: The First Session

Once you’ve made the next big step towards beginning the work, you may begin to feel unsure. Totally normal. Your therapist knows this, so they'll take the lead. Here’s what you can expect:

Introductions and Basics You'll start with introductions. Your therapist will tell you a little about their approach, what to expect in sessions, and how confidentiality works.

Assessment and Background Next, your therapist will guide you through some basic questions:

• Tell me about what’s been going on?
• How has this been affecting your relationships?
• How do you typically cope with stress?
• Can you tell me a bit about your background: family, relationships, work, stressors?

This might sound formal, but it’s more conversational than you’d think. It helps the therapist get a better understanding of your world and what you need.

Goal Setting Near the end of this first session, you'll discuss goals. Not huge, daunting, life-changing ones, just initial steps you'd like to take. Maybe it’s handling stress better, opening up to your partner, or simply figuring out why you feel stuck.

Step 3: Ongoing Sessions

After your first session, things start to feel more familiar. Each ongoing session typically follows a loose structure:

Sessions usually begin with a quick check-in:

• How have you been since we last met?
• What stood out to you from our last session?
• Did anything important happen this week?

This helps ground your session in what's relevant to you right now.

Next, you'll dive into a specific area. Maybe it’s an argument you had at home, a stressful situation at work, or a lingering sense of anxiety or emptiness. Your therapist might ask questions like:

• "What were you feeling in that moment?"
• "Why do you think you reacted that way?"
• "What usually helps you when you feel like this?"

The goal isn’t just talking, it's gaining insight. Understanding why you do what you do, and finding new ways to respond.

Skill Building Depending on your needs, your therapist might teach you specific tools or skills during your session, such as:

• Managing stress with breathing exercises or mindfulness
• Improving communication through role-playing difficult conversations
• Setting healthier boundaries at work and home

You’ll practice these skills together first, making sure you're comfortable using them in your everyday life.

Step 4: Goal Setting and Review

Every few sessions, you and your therapist will pause to check in on your progress toward your goals. It’s less formal than it sounds but it is still important to get a gauge for how you’re feeling about therapy so far. We will cover questions like:

• Has this been helpful?
• What still feels challenging?
• Are your original goals still relevant, or do you want to set new ones?

This keeps your therapy focused, clear, and practical. It also lets you see tangible progress, which can be incredibly motivating.

Step 5: Handling Challenges

Therapy isn't always easy. Sometimes, difficult feelings or memories come up. Sometimes, you might feel stuck or even frustrated that you’re not making progress as fast you’d like to.

This is normal and your therapist will help you handle these moments:

• We will encourage you to talk openly about your discomfort.
• We will offer new ways to approach or think about what's happening.
• We will ensure you're never overwhelmed or alone in your experiences.

Feeling challenged in therapy is often a sign that you're doing meaningful work. We are here to support you through it.

Step 6: Ending Sessions and Next Steps

At the end of each session, your therapist will help you summarize what you’ve covered:

• Key insights or takeaways
• Specific skills to practice
• Goals or things to think about before next time

This gives you clarity and direction. You leave therapy knowing exactly what you can do next, even if it’s just reflecting on a new idea or practicing a new way of communicating.

Step 7: Progress Tracking Over Time

Therapy for men isn’t just one session. It's a journey. Over time, you'll start noticing small, significant changes:

• You're better at expressing your needs.
• You're not as reactive to stressful situations.
• Relationships feel healthier and more fulfilling.

Your therapist will help you track and acknowledge these changes. Progress isn’t always linear, but recognizing your growth boosts your confidence and reinforces your motivation to keep going.

Men’s Therapy That Makes Sense

At the end of the day Men’s therapy is supposed to be straightforward, practical, and tailored to you. It isn’t about having all the answers, it's about being willing to explore the questions. It’s a safe space, guided by someone who knows how to help you find clarity, build real skills, and make meaningful change.

You don’t need to know how to start, just show up. Together we will handle the rest.

Find Real Support and Growth Through Men's Therapy in San Antonio, TX

You don’t have to figure it all out alone—men's therapy can be the starting point to real change. At Elevate Mental Health, we offer a space where you can gain clarity, develop practical skills, and move forward with purpose. Take the first step toward a healthier mindset with men's therapy in San Antonio, TX. Follow these three simple steps to get started:

1. Schedule a free 15-minute consultation to see if Men's Therapy is right for you
2. Begin meeting with skilled men's therapist, Jesse Hernandez
3. Start moving forward in life with purpose!

Additional Services Offered at Elevate Mental Health

At Elevate Mental Health, my focus is on meeting you where you are and offering the support you need. Along with men's therapy—which helps you reconnect with yourself and your emotions—I provide care for those dealing with trauma, anxiety, and depression. Whether you're navigating unresolved experiences, managing day-to-day stress, or simply trying to understand what you're feeling, I’m here to help you find direction, healing, and greater clarity. Explore my blog for helpful insights as you move forward in your mental health journey.