Raising Boys #4: Helping Boys Talk About Feelings With Matt Browning, LPC [Podcast Episode]

Now that we have a better understanding of why it is so hard for boys to talk about their feelings, let’s dive into what we can do to help our boys talk about their emotions.

“Naming it is the very first step”
– Matt Browning

I’m continuing the conversation with Matt Browning, who shares great, actionable strategies for helping our boys verbally express their feelings more easily. Matt shares how we should first help our boys understand why we have feelings in the first place. Understanding this, in combination with education around how to recognize feelings, will lead to more motivation to talk about them. Which makes total sense to me!

“The worst time to talk about emotions is when you’re already emotionally escalated”
– Matt Browning

So how do we go about this? What are some actionable tactics to help our boys? And when is actually the right time to talk about this? Matt has all the answers in today’s episode. You can find our podcast Active and Connected Families wherever you listen to your podcasts, or easily click the links below to listen:

Click here to listen on Spotify!

Click here to listen on Apple Podcasts!

Click here to listen on Google Podcasts!

Click here to listen on Stitcher!

In this episode on helping boys talk about feelings, we discuss:

• Actionable strategies for helping boys talk about feelings;
• The importance of education around emotions and how to go about it;
• Why it’s helpful to keep it general at first instead of going personal right away;
• Leaning into the resistance you feel from your kid instead of going against it;
• When’s the right time to talk about feelings?;
• And so much more!

More about Virginia Family Therapy

Virginia Family Therapy is a mental health practice serving individuals, families, and our community. VFT is designed to help people at all stages and from all walks of life by offering therapists and physicians with diverse backgrounds and specialties via face-to-face, walk-and-talk, and telemedicine appointments. Throughout, we are committed to developing strengths-based, authentic, and long-lasting relationships with you and your children. We hope to provide you with the support and insight you need to help your family navigate life’s hard times and joys.

Are you or your child struggling with mental health? We have a team of psychologists and psychiatrists who can help you out. You can learn more about our practice or contact us here.

More about Matt Browning, LPC

Matt is a Licensed Professional Counselor at Virginia Family Therapy with over 20 years of experience helping children, adolescents, and families. He specializes in working with clients struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, substance abuse, anger management, stress management, and relational problems. If you or your children feel stuck, confused, frustrated, or even scared of therapy, you are not alone and Matt has worked with many families in your shoes.

Outside of work, Matt’s loves include trail running, paddle boarding, hiking with his wife and two daughters, and listening to his vinyl record collection. On Sundays in the Fall, you can usually catch him in the Living Room watching the NFL. Matt works out of the Pantops-Olympia Office and can be reached directly at mbrowning@virginiafamilytherapy.com

Learn more about Matt here.

Resources and links mentioned in this episode

• We’d love to hear your feedback on our podcast. Why not leave us a review on Apple Podcasts?
• Connect with us on Facebook or Instagram.
• Have you listened to our previous episodes in our Raising Boys mini-series? You can start here with our episode on fatherhood as social activism!

Disclaimer: Please remember we are real live therapists, however this is a podcast and is not considered a therapy session. Not only because there is no co-pay but also because we can’t speak to your individual experiences. We are here to help you keep raising healthy kids. And remember, if you are an imperfect parent, we are right there with you. If you or someone you love is in immediate danger, please call your local crisis hotline or go to your nearest emergency room.