man cave
noun man cave /mæn keɪv/
: a room used by a man as a personal sanctuary
: an area for hobbies and leisure activities
: a space to socialize with other men
Redefining the Man Cave
Man Cave Counseling Services
redefines the traditional man cave for young men, from adolescence to early adulthood, by providing:
: a place that serves as a refuge for young men during the complex journey from adolescence to adulthood; not to retreat from life's challenges, but to confront them with courage and compassion.
: a space where young men feel empowered and safe to embrace curiosity and strive toward becoming their most authentic selves during this formative time of life.
: an opportunity to build meaningful connection with others, the world around him, and more importantly, within himself.
Available Services
Individual Counseling
The journey from adolescence to adulthood can often be defined by immense change. And with this change comes expectations, pressures, and discomfort. Individual counseling sessions focus on problem solving and results-oriented strategies tailored for male clients navigating this time of life, in a confidential and non-judgmental environment.
Topics May Include:
-General stressors and anxieties, relationship challenges, life transitions and impactful events, social and familial expectations, perfectionism, etc.
Mental Performance Coaching
The athletics arena is filled with such expectations and pressures for male athletes of all levels. Drawing on the fundamentals of sport psychology, mental performance coaching teaches the skills to develop the mental side of athletics and to navigate the psychological stressors of training and competition within ever-changing landscape of sports.
Topics May Include:
-Performance anxiety, managing pressure and expectations, competitive mindset, confidence, motivation, burnout, resilience, fear of failure, etc.
About
Brett Blackiston - Owner / Lead Clinician
LPC #PC018472 (State of Pennsylvania)
Brett is a passionate and dedicated counselor, with nearly a decade of experience in supporting young men of various ages. Having experienced the male stigma toward mental health, both personally and professionally, his mission is to help change this narrative. Through Man Cave Counseling Services, Brett aims to create a relational, accessible, and approachable space for men to commit to their mental health and engage in the purposeful work required for personal growth.
Originally from the Bay Area, Brett has planted his roots outside Philadelphia with his wife, Shelby, and newborn son, Boone. In his free time, he can be found daydreaming about his next travel adventure, being overly competitive in any sport or game, hanging out with his dog, Rook, or searching for his errant tee shots on the golf course.
EDUCATION / TRAINING
- M.S.Ed School and Mental Health Counseling (UPenn)
- M.S. Sport Psychology (Capella University)
- B.A. Communication Studies (UCLA)
- Internal Family Systems Therapy Consultation and Training
- Mindfulness for Sport (True Athlete Project)
- Working with Men (Relational Life Institute)
WORK EXPERIENCE
- Inner-Edge Sport Psychology, Mental Skills Coach
- Friends' Central School, Counselor/Associate Athletic Director
- YSC Academy/Philadelphia Union Academy, Wellness Educator
- The Phelps School, Social Emotional Learning Educator
- IMG Academy, Summer Mental Conditioning Coach
Is Man Cave the right service for me?
Man Cave Counseling Services was created to serve the male population, from adolescence to early adulthood. If you fall in this category and are someone who wants to commit to prioritizing your own mental health and personal growth, then yes, this is absolutely the right service for you.
Still not sure? Your first 15-minute consultation call with me is totally free, with the goal of exploring if this is the kind of service you are looking for, and if we are a right match for embarking on this journey together.
Ok cool, so how do counseling sessions work?
Man Cave offers both in-person and virtual counseling sessions. While the Man Cave office space is indeed in the long term plan, for now, in-person sessions can take place in neutral locations (over a cup of coffee, on a walk, shooting hoops, playing chess etc.). And of course, remote sessions are available too via a secure platform.
Regarding scheduling and frequency of meetings, it depends! We can determine a plan that works conveniently for you and your schedule. Whatever we decide though, consistency is key, as consistent work leads to better outcomes.
I'm interested! How much does it cost? And can my insurance cover it?
My current rate is $150 per hour, prorated depending on the length of session (typically 30-60 minutes long). And at this time, I do not take insurance. I am able to provide receipt of service that can be submitted to insurance providers on your own.
However, the last thing I want is for finances to be a barrier to engaging in this work. For this reason, sliding scale can be discussed if you foresee your financial situation limiting your ability to get started.
Ok great! Last thing: I'm not going to lay on a couch and get diagnosed right?
Valid question! One of the goals of Man Cave Counseling Services is to combat the stigma that surrounds counseling for many young men in our society. So to answer your question, don't worry! You will not be asked to lay on a couch and reveal your deepest, darkest secrets, as the stereotype typically goes. This will be a much more casual and relational process.
I also do not directly diagnose. If I believe diagnosis would be applicable and beneficial to you, we will discuss how to go about that process.
