There’s a tendency to think that most men just aren’t as emotionally expressive as women. After all, the stereotype of the female caretaker and the stoic, male breadwinner still holds true for many people.
But the truth is that many men are actually just as emotionally in-touch as women—they just express emotion differently because of how their brains are wired.
Couples therapist Pat Love is an expert when it comes to helping men open up in therapy. In the video clip below, you’ll hear Pat explain how emotions run deeper than just “mirror neurons.” Men heavily rely on what scientists call the brain’s Temporal Parietal Junction (TPJ) System. When a partner is in distress, the TPJ kicks in and a fix-it mentality becomes activated.
Rich Simon
Richard Simon, PhD, founded Psychotherapy Networker and served as the editor for more than 40 years. He received every major magazine industry honor, including the National Magazine Award. Rich passed away November 2020, and we honor his memory and contributions to the field every day.
Pat Love
Distinguished professor, Certified Love Educator, Pat Love has contributed to relationship education and personal development through her books, articles, training programs, speaking and media appearances. Dr. Love has published several professional articles, been featured in many professional books and developed relationships education media and materials being used nationally and internationally. Her ever-popular books Hot Monogamy and The Truth About Love have literally taken her around the world spreading the good news about marriage and committed relationships. She released her new book in February 2007, co-authored with Dr. Steven Stosny, and entitled How to Improve Your Marriage Without Talking About It. She is faculty Emeritus, Imago Institute for Relationship Therapy and a recipient of the Smart Marriages Impact Award. She is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, an Approved Supervisor in AAMFT, and a past president of the International Association for Marriage and Family Counseling.
