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 the male population, from adolescence to adulthood, by providing:
: a place that serves as a refuge for men, not to retreat from life's challenges, but to confront them with courage and compassion.
: a space where men will feel empowered and safe to embrace curiosity and to strive toward becoming their most authentic selves.
: an opportunity to build meaningful connection with others, the world around him, and more importantly, within himself.
Available Services
Individual Counseling
Individual counseling involves 1-on-1 counseling sessions, focused on personal growth, problem solving, emotional awareness, and effective strategies tailored for male clients, in a confidential and non-judgmental environment.
Topics May Include:
-General stressors/anxieties, relationship challenges, life transitions and impactful events, emotion management, etc.
Mental Skills Training
Specifically for male athletes and coaches, mental skills training focuses on developing the mental side of athletics and navigating the psychological stressors of training and competition.
Topics May Include:
-Performance anxiety, pressure, competitive mindset, confidence, motivation, burnout, athlete/coach identity and values, 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 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. 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, SEL 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 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, 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 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.
