Taking on the largely unnamed complexities of the #MeToo movement for men, this issue explores how therapists can help men respond to women’s experiences in healthy ways, rather than going silent, stewing in guilt, feeling helpless, or loudly protesting their own innocence.

Most men publicly support #MeToo, but privately—very privately, often too privately even to share with their intimate partners—some are disoriented and wrestling with questions about the changing norms that shape their relationships with women. Meanwhile, therapists are examining how to bring issues raised by this movement more directly into their clinical approaches.

In Networker editor Rich Simon’s introduction to the conference, he likened it to a deeply stimulating marketplace of ideas, where clinicians get an expanded opportunity to embrace a fuller range of therapeutic identities.

Weaving together Buddhist philosophy and storytelling, clinical psychologist and spiritual teacher Jack Kornfield explored the nature of therapeutic transformation by evoking the core elements of psychological healing—being witnessed and loved.

At this cultural moment of the #MeToo movement, which has heightened awareness of a broad range of transgressions, psychologist and bestselling author Harriet Lerner offered a penetrating analysis of the truly healing apology.

Esther Perel called on the Symposium audience to challenge the various myths, especially those about male sexuality, that get in the way of deeper relational authenticity and more fulfilling ways of navigating modern relationships.

In their featured address, the Gottmans explored what research has revealed about the crucial role the brain’s seven different command systems can play in enhancing the quality of couples’ emotional connection.

A highlight of this year’s Symposium was iconic therapist Irvin Yalom receiving the Networker Lifetime Achievement Award. In this excerpt from his recent memoir Becoming Myself, Yalom describes how, at this stage of his career, patients’ preconceptions about him can shape the therapeutic encounter.

In our own small way, the Networker has tried to revive the ancient, tribal practice of storytelling. At our third annual Symposium storytelling event, five veteran therapists fearlessly got on stage and told disarmingly revealing stories about therapy experiences that challenged them and taught them something vital about themselves.

A challenging client, who won't speak or swallow, teaches a therapist just starting out how to find her own voice.

A therapist tries to ride to the rescue of an immigrant client in a desperate situation.

What happens to a buttoned-up young therapist when things get out of hand in his office?

A specialist in grief and dying gets an early lesson on what makes up a full life.

A karaoke performance on a psych ward helps a mother and daughter find a way to reconnect.

How to give boys more choices about the kind of men they want to be.

Enhancing emotional healing with visual images in your work.

A therapist struggles to help an obsessive client with whom she develops an unusual preoccupation.

For Buddhist therapist Mark Epstein, mindfulness is just the beginning.

Review: Accidental Brothers: The Story of Twins Exchanged at Birth and the Power of Nature and Nurture

A whirlwind romance turns into a troubled relationship.