University Advancement

Public Relations and Strategic Communications

NEWS RELEASE

CSUN to Host First National Psychotherapy with Men Conference

(NORTHRIDGE, Calif., April 24, 2007) — The first national conference examining how men deal with mental health issues, particularly the use of psychotherapy, will be held this June at Cal State Northridge in the University Student Union.

The "National Psychotherapy With Men" conference is scheduled to take place June 2 and is being presented in association with the American Psychological Association (APA) Division 51 Society for the Psychological Study of Men and Masculinity.

The conference will feature a distinguished group of nationally recognized educators, therapists and researchers in the field who will discuss the issues involved in motivating men to use psychotherapy as well as the issues involved in keeping those men in therapy to resolve mental problems such as depression.

"Men underutilize mental health services," said conference organizer Mark A. Stevens, director of Northridge’s University Counseling Services. "The conference will discuss current findings and best practices on how to encourage men to try psychotherapy and keep them returning once they get to our offices.

"Male depression is a major mental health issue that has even caught the attention of the major media recently," Stevens continued. "Men need to understand that there is help. The goal of the conference is to educate and inform professionals on how to help make men feel comfortable when seeking help."

Stevens, president of APA Division 51, said his research in the area of psychotherapy and male mental health, especially depression among culturally diverse men, motivated him to organize the conference. The conference is aimed at professionals, practitioners and graduate students in psychology, social work, psychiatry, marriage and family therapy and general counseling.

Keynote speakers include Aaron Rochlen, associate professor of psychology at the University of Texas, who will discuss "Who Are Those Masked Men: Development, Diagnosis and Treatment of Men with Depression," and Anderson J. Franklin, professor of psychology at Boston College, who will speak on "Engaging Black Men in Psychotherapy."

For more information about the conference, contact Stevens at mark.stevens@csun.edu or visit the Web site www.apa.org/divisions/div51/. Registration is limited to 200 participants. An application to attend the conference is available at the Web site.