Feb 2024
52m 26s
The painting above is about Philoctetes, the ancient Greek physician who was traumatized, but needed by Greek society—only he possessed the bow and arrows of Hercules and knew how to use them—in order to win the Trojan War.
In today’s world men have wounds and special knowledge within them that is needed to contribute to society’s growth and health in the same way.
Cognitive Analytical Therapy and Compassion Focused Therapy can be very useful to men and this is likely because they help process psychological trauma and empower the normal, natural masculine instincts.
For those of you who want the entire 40+ hour long Comprehensive Guide to Men’s Psychology online access, simply become an upgraded Substack member:
SHOW NOTES:
Summary
In this conversation, Dr. Paul and Jeremy Fox discuss new generation psychologies and models of psychology that are useful for males. They explore cognitive analytic therapy (CAT), which combines evolutionary psychology and attachment theory.
They also discuss the importance of storytelling and personal symbols in therapy. The conversation then shifts to compassion-focused therapy (CFT), which focuses on alleviating suffering and regulating emotions.
They highlight the role of shame and masculine instincts in therapy and the importance of developing insight and wisdom. Overall, the conversation emphasizes the convergence of different theories and models in understanding and treating masculinity.
This conversation explores the action systems and polyvagal theory, the role of compassion and self-protection, the impact of the threat and self-protection system, the overlap of threat and drive-seeking systems, the purpose of fear and anxiety, the influence of attachment trauma, micro traumas and identity development, the importance of male friendships, the decline of male friendships, the need for environments for men, balancing relationships and friendships, the myth of the lone journeyman, the lack of recognition for male friendship needs, and economic pressures and the decline of male friendships.
Takeaways
Cognitive analytic therapy (CAT) combines evolutionary psychology and attachment theory to provide effective therapy for males.
Storytelling and personal symbols play a significant role in therapy, helping individuals connect with their own masculinity and develop a positive narrative.
Compassion-focused therapy (CFT) focuses on alleviating suffering and regulating emotions, with an emphasis on three affect regulation systems: threat, drive seeking, and soothing and affiliative.
Shame and masculine instincts are important considerations in therapy, and understanding the impact of shame can help in developing effective treatment approaches.
The convergence of different theories and models in psychology provides a comprehensive understanding of masculinity and offers effective therapeutic methods. Understanding the action systems and polyvagal theory can provide insights into how our bodies respond to threats and social engagement.
Compassion and self-protection play important roles in navigating relationships and personal growth.
Attachment trauma can impact our ability to respond to threats and form healthy relationships.
Developing and maintaining male friendships is crucial for men's mental health and well-being.
Societal pressures and economic factors contribute to the decline of male friendships.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Background
01:26 New Generation Psychologies and Models
04:09 Cognitive Analytic Therapy (CAT)
05:34 Attachment Theory and Developmental Psychology
06:31 Evolutionary Psychology and Masculinity
08:28 Jungian Psychology and Evolutionary Psychology
10:27 Cognitive Analytic Therapy (CAT) and Storytelling
11:24 Personalized Symbols and Mediating Maladaptive Patterns
12:22 Identity and Continuity
13:34 Technological Use and Identity
15:06 Positive Psychology and Cognitive Analytic Therapy (CAT)
17:40 Enactments and Interpersonal Relationships
20:08 Shame and Masculinity
23:27 Convergence of Theories and Masculine Instincts
24:54 Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT)
29:20 Three Affect Regulation Systems in CFT
39:49 Compassion and Alleviating Suffering in CFT
44:44 Action Systems and Polyvagal Theory
45:13 The Role of Compassion and Self-Protection
46:07 The Impact of the Threat and Self-Protection System
47:30 The Overlap of Threat and Drive-Seeking Systems
48:03 The Purpose of Fear and Anxiety
48:31 The Influence of Attachment Trauma
49:16 Micro Traumas and Identity Development
50:06 The Importance of Male Friendships
51:30 The Decline of Male Friendships
52:26 The Need for Environments for Men
53:14 Balancing Relationships and Friendships
54:09 The Myth of the Lone Journeyman
54:38 The Lack of Recognition for Male Friendship Needs
55:07 Economic Pressures and the Decline of Male Friendships