You’re expected to provide, protect, stay strong, and keep it all together—while sleep-deprived, stressed, and balancing everything else life throws your way.
Fatherhood changes everything
Fatherhood Recovery Counseling for Men in Massachusetts
Nobody hands you a playbook when you become a dad.
On the outside, you’re doing your job.
On the inside, you might feel:
And you’re carrying more than one person should handle alone.
This doesn’t mean you’re a bad father. It means you’re human.
Overwhelmed with responsibility
Disconnected from your partner or kids
Irritable and short-tempered
Guilty for wanting space
Numb, stressed, or constantly on edge
Why fatherhood is hard on men’s mental health
- Bury themselves in work to avoid feeling inadequate at home.
- Withdraw emotionally from their partner or kids.
- Cope with alcohol, porn, or distractions instead of addressing the stress.
- Carry silent guilt for not “feeling happy” when they think they should.
Fatherhood impacts men’s mental health just as much as it does women’s.
We don’t talk about this enough:
The truth? None of that makes you weak—it makes you a man under pressure. And there’s a better way.
But while mothers are often encouraged to seek support, men get the opposite message: “Step up. Be strong. Don’t complain.”
So instead of reaching out, many fathers in Massachusetts:
The silent struggles of fathers
- Balancing work stress with family life
- Feeling pressure to be the “provider” while craving more connection
- Navigating relationship strain with a partner after kids
- Guilt over not being fully present or patient
- Adjusting to co-parenting after separation or divorce
- Struggling with identity: “Who am I now that I’m a dad?”
If you’re nodding along, you’re not broken. You’re just carrying the weight of fatherhood without support.
Fatherhood brings unique challenges that often go unspoken:
How counseling helps fathers
It’s about giving you tools to handle the stress, reconnect with your family, and feel like yourself again.
Therapy isn’t about judging your parenting or telling you what to do
Manage Stress & Irritability: Learn how to calm your mind and body so you’re not always on edge.
Reconnect with Your Partner: Tools to handle conflict, rebuild intimacy, and share the load.
Show Up for Your Kids: Be present and engaged—even when work and stress pile up.
Find Balance: Learn how to juggle work, family, and personal identity without burning out.
Redefine Fatherhood: Build your own version of what it means to be a strong, connected dad.
At Mister Health, we help fathers across Massachusetts:
Boston-Based, Statewide Access: Whether you’re in Boston, Worcester, or Springfield, we meet virtually, wherever you are in Massachusetts.
Led by Dr. Michael Stokes: A licensed therapist who has worked with countless men balancing the demands of fatherhood, work, and relationships.
Why fathers choose Mister Health
Private & Convenient: No waiting rooms. No awkward conversations. Just secure, online sessions.
Therapy Designed for Men: Direct, practical, and judgment-free.
Note: To work with Mister Health, you must be located in Massachusetts at the time of your session.
35, Worcester
Eric
"I thought I was just stressed, but Dr. Mike helped me see I was burned out and depressed. Having someone who gets men made the difference."
42, Boston
James
"I didn’t think therapy was for me. I figured I’d just deal with it. But after a few sessions, I realized how much I’d been carrying. For the first time in years, I feel like myself again."
What men say about therapy
12
Mister Health provides divorce & breakup recovery counseling statewide:
Boston • Worcester • Springfield • Cambridge • Lowell • Brockton • Quincy • Lynn • New Bedford • Fall River • All of Massachusetts
Imagine fatherhood without the overwhelm
That’s possible. Counseling can help you get there.
Virtual counseling for men across Massachusetts.
198 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02116
(617) 7-MISTER hello@misterhealth.com
- You come home from work and actually feel present, not distracted.
- You have more patience with your kids—and they feel closer to you.
- You and your partner feel like a team again instead of roommates.
- You feel proud of the dad you’re becoming, instead of questioning if you’re doing enough.
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