Father’s Mental Health: How Therapy Helps Dads Thrive

Learn more about Mens Therapy.

In This Blog, You’ll Learn:

✅ What father’s mental health is and why it matters

✅ Common mental health challenges fathers and dads face

✅ Myths vs. facts about men’s mental health and dad mental health

✅ Coping skills for father’s mental health

✅ How therapy helps dads thrive

✅ Where to find the best men therapist, therapist for a man, or dad therapist near you

✅ Things to do for Father's Day

✅ What do do if Fathers Day is Triggering for You

Support for All Fathers and Father Figures

At Mountains Therapy in Montclair, NJ, we honor and support all fathers and father figures this Father’s Day because every role and relationship matters, and every dad’s journey is unique.

When is Father’s Day in 2025?

In 2025, Father’s Day will fall on Sunday, June 15, 2025.

We welcome and affirm:

Biological dads
Stepdads
Adoptive dads
Foster dads
Chosen dads (mentors, family friends, community father figures)
Single dads
Co-parenting dads
Trans Dads
LGBTQIA2S+ dads, non-binary parents who identify with the role of dad or father.
Grandfathers parenting grandchildren
Expectant dads
Dads who are grieving the loss of a child
Dads who are remembering their own fathers
Dads navigating complex or blended family dynamics
Dads who are no longer with us, whose memory lives on.
We hold space for those honoring a father who has passed, or remembering a father figure this Father’s Day.

What Is Father’s Mental Health and Why Does It Matter?

Father’s Day is a time to honor and celebrate the dads, fathers, and father figures who shape our lives in meaningful ways. At Mountains Therapy in Montclair, NJ, we recognize that fatherhood is a journey filled with both rewards and challenges.

Father’s mental health and dad mental health are often overlooked, yet they play a vital role in family well-being. Fathers influence their children’s emotional development, resilience, and sense of security. However, balancing family life, work obligations, and personal needs can take a toll on men’s mental health. Supporting dads through therapy helps them navigate these complexities fostering stronger relationships, emotional connection, and personal fulfillment.

Common Mental Health Challenges Fathers and Dads Face

Fathers and dads often experience a range of mental health challenges influenced by societal expectations and life demands:

Balancing work and family life: The pressure to provide financially while being emotionally present at home can lead to stress and burnout.
Emotional expression: Many men are conditioned to suppress their emotions, making it difficult to build emotional connections with their children and partners.
Parenting styles - Conflicting parenting approaches can cause tension between co-parents; learning collaborative skills is key.
Self-care - Fathers and dads frequently put their family’s needs first, neglecting their own well-being and risking long-term mental and physical health issues.
Isolation - Without strong support networks, many dads feel alone in their struggles. Therapy offers community and understanding.

Therapy for men and dad therapy provides space to address these concerns and promote emotional well-being.

Myths and Facts About Men’s Mental Health and Fatherhood

Myth: Dads should be able to handle fatherhood stress on their own.

✅ Fact: Seeking support from a men therapist, dad therapist, or therapist for a man is a proactive way to build resilience and improve family relationships.

Myth: Expressing emotions makes a dad seem weak.

✅ Fact: Modeling emotional openness teaches children valuable lessons about self-awareness and healthy relationships.

Myth: Therapy is only for dads facing serious problems.

✅ Fact: Therapy benefits dads at any stage from new fathers adjusting to parenthood to seasoned fathers managing evolving family dynamics.

Myth: Self-care is selfish for dads.

✅ Fact: Prioritizing mental health and self-care makes dads better partners, parents, and individuals.

How to Cope With Father’s Mental Health Challenges

Normalize talking about emotions with trusted friends, supportive partners, or a therapist.
Engage in regular physical activity to reduce stress and boost mood.
Practice mindfulness or grounding techniques to stay present during stressful moments.
Limit alcohol or substance use - substances can worsen men’s mental health symptoms.
Prioritize self-care - rest, hobbies, time with friends, and activities that recharge you.
Build a strong support system - connect with other dads or support groups.
Seek therapy - working with a therapist for a man, dad therapist, or men therapist helps fathers develop emotional resilience and stronger family bonds.

How Therapy Helps Fathers Thrive

At Mountains Therapy, we offer therapy tailored to the unique needs of fathers and dads. Our services support father’s mental health and dad mental health, helping fathers embrace their role with confidence and connection.

Therapy offers dads the opportunity to:

Develop effective coping strategies for managing stress and overwhelm
Improve communication and conflict resolution skills
Strengthen emotional bonds with children and partners
Explore identity shifts and personal growth as a dad
Build resilience to navigate life transitions and challenges

Therapies we offer to support dads include:

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) - Align values with meaningful action in fatherhood and beyond.
Attachment-Based Therapy - Foster secure parent-child connections and heal attachment wounds.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) - Address unhelpful thought patterns and promote emotional well-being.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) - Build emotional regulation and stress tolerance.
Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) - Strengthen family and partner relationships.
Mindfulness-Based Therapy - Reduce anxiety and enhance presence in parenting.
Narrative Therapy - Reframe personal stories to foster self-compassion and empowerment.
Psychodynamic Therapy - Gain deeper insight into unconscious patterns influencing parenting.
Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT) - Focus on practical strategies for improving family life.
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) - Heal from past experiences that may impact parenting.
Online Therapy is also available - providing flexibility and convenience for busy dads.
Individual Therapy for Men
Explore your identity as a father and man
Develop coping strategies for stress, anxiety, and overwhelm
Improve emotional regulation and communication skills
Address personal growth and self-care
Heal from past experiences that may impact parenting
Couples Therapy for Parents
Strengthen the parenting partnership between fathers and mothers
Align parenting values and create a shared approach
Improve communication around parenting and family decisions
Resolve conflicts related to differing parenting styles
Foster teamwork and emotional connection as co-parents

How Couples Therapy Helps Fathers and Mothers Navigate Parenting Styles

Parenting is a team effort but it’s not uncommon for dads and moms to have different parenting styles, expectations, or communication patterns. These differences can create tension between partners and impact the family dynamic.Couples Therapy offers a supportive space where dads and moms can:

Understand each other’s parenting values and perspectives
Develop shared parenting goals and a united approach
Improve communication and reduce conflict related to parenting decisions
Strengthen emotional connection and teamwork as co-parents
Learn effective problem-solving skills for navigating parenting challenges together

At Mountains Therapy, our therapists use approaches such as the Gottman Method Couples Therapy and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) to help fathers and mothers enhance their co-parenting relationship. When parents feel more connected, aligned, and supported, children benefit from a more stable and nurturing family environment. Couples Therapy empowers moms and dads to parent with greater harmony, confidence, and resilience strengthening both the partnership and the family as a whole.

FAQs About Mens Mental Health

Is it normal to feel stressed or overwhelmed as a father or dad?
🌟 Yes - parenting brings emotional and physical demands. Therapy helps dads manage stress and build resilience.
How can therapy support my role as a dad?
🌟 Working with a men therapist, dad therapist, or therapist for a man helps dads improve communication, strengthen relationships, and develop healthy coping skills.
When should a dad consider therapy?
🌟 Anytime. Whether adjusting to new fatherhood, managing life transitions, or addressing mental health concerns, therapy provides valuable support.
🌟 Is it okay to seek therapy even if I’m not in crisis?
Absolutely. Dad therapy is a proactive tool for personal growth and well-being - not just a last resort.

Celebrating Father’s Day

Father’s Day is a wonderful time to celebrate the unique bond between fathers, dads, and their children - and to honor the emotional growth that comes with parenthood. Fatherhood is a journey filled with joys and challenges -and you don’t have to navigate it alone.

When is Father’s Day in 2025?

In 2025, Father’s Day will fall on Sunday, June 15, 2025.

When is Father’s Day celebrated?

Father’s Day is celebrated on the third Sunday of June each year.

Who Says Happy Fathers Dat?

Everyone who wants to honor a father figure in their life can say “Happy Father’s Day”! This includes children, spouses, partners, family members, friends, and even coworkers.

Why say "Happy Father’s Day"?

We say "Happy Father’s Day" to celebrate and appreciate the love, sacrifices, wisdom, and support that fathers and father figures provide. It’s a time to express gratitude and make them feel valued and seen.

How did Father's Day start?

Father’s Day has its origins in the early 20th century. The first known Father’s Day celebration took place in Spokane, Washington, in 1910, after a woman named Sonora Smart Dodd wanted to honor her father, a Civil War veteran who raised six children as a single parent.
Inspired by Mother’s Day, Sonora worked to create a day that recognized the love, guidance, and contributions of fathers. Over the years, the idea caught on across the U.S. and was eventually recognized as a national holiday in 1972, when President Richard Nixon signed it into law.

What is the Best thing to do with your father on Father’s Day?

🛠️ Things to do for Father’s Day

Spend quality time - Plan a family meal, picnic, or outing.
Do an activity your dad loves - Think fishing, golfing, biking, or going to a ballgame.
Share stories - Ask about your father’s life and listen with curiosity and care.
Family outing - Plan a fun activity that allows for quality time together.
Personalized gifts - Encourage children to create heartfelt cards or artwork.
Reflection Take time to appreciate your journey as a dad and the lessons you’ve learned.

🎁 Gift ideas for Father’s Day

Personalized gifts - Photo books, mugs, or engraved keychains.
Hobby-related items - Tools, books, gadgets, or sports gear.
Experience gifts - Concert tickets, travel vouchers, or a nice dinner out.

🌟 Best thing to do with your father on Father’s Day

The best thing is often the simplest: spend intentional time together and tell your dad why he matters to you.
That personal connection will mean more than any gift.

What to Do If You Don’t Have a Father? and What to do if Father’s Day Is Triggering for You?

Father’s Day can be a complicated, painful, or lonely time for many - whether you’ve lost a father, are estranged from one, grew up without one, or carry wounds related to your relationship with a father figure. If this holiday is hard for you, here are some compassionate ways to take care of yourself:

💙 Honor Your Own Experience

Allow yourself to feel whatever emotions come up - sadness, anger, longing, or even numbness are all valid.
It’s okay to skip the celebrations or avoid social media if seeing others’ posts is triggering.

💙 Practice Self-Care

Do something comforting for yourself that day - a nature walk, a favorite movie, time with a pet, a calming ritual, or time with supportive people.
Reach out to your therapist, friends, or support group if you need extra space to process.

💙 Create New Meaning

Consider honoring a different father figure, mentor, or loved one in your life.
Use the day to celebrate yourself and your resilience.
Volunteer or do an act of kindness in memory of someone you admire

💙 Give Yourself Permission

Remember: You DO NOT owe anyone a performance of celebration.
If Father’s Day is difficult, your priority is to protect your well-being and honor your story.

You Are Not Alone! Support for Dads Is Here

Fatherhood takes many forms and every dad deserves support, compassion, and encouragement on their journey. At Mountains Therapy, we are here to walk alongside you with affirming, inclusive care. Whether you’re seeking individual therapy, couples therapy, or dad therapy, we are honored to be part of your journey. Reach out to us today to connect with a therapist and take the next step in supporting your father’s mental health and family well-being. Happy Father’s Day from all of us at Mountains Therapy!