Regarding the moderator's question about seeking MKP vs. a licensed professional: I can give you one man's perspective on this; I do not profess to speak for anyone else.
Just to be transparent: I'm currently the Centre Director for MKP-Windsor/Detroit, so I've obviously had good experiences with MKP. I'm also a good friend of Tim's & have known and worked with him a lot during the 5 years since I took MKP's training.
In a nutshell: I found that 16 years of the conventional approach just didn't help me. On the other hand, I experienced a whole lot of progress in my life with MKP in a relatively short time (several months). After 5 years I continue to experience positive changes that impact my daily life enormously. For me, MKP has been MORE bang for my buck than conventional therapy.
My background includes:
- Over 16 years of conventional therapy on an almost weekly basis.
- I was paying out-of-pocket for most of that, since my insurance didn't cover the costs.
- I had at least 5 different counselors during that period (I lived in 3 different places). Some were MSW's, some were PhDs; I counseled with both men and women.
- I was struggling with a bunch of issues, including chronic depression and poor self-esteem, and I NEVER experienced what I would call significant relief with any of my counselors. (Yes, I had some temporary relief periodically, but nothing lasting).
- One counselor early on suggested I check out men's groups, but I was extremely resistant to the idea - I really didn't trust that such groups could help me in any way - so I didn't take her advice.
So after years of trying things the conventional way, I finally decided to stop "banging my head against the wall" and try something different. I checked out a couple other approaches, such as Recovery Inc., but found they didn't quite fit for me. Then an acquaintance suggested MKP, and I decided to give it a try.
I got a lot out of MKPs training and have continued to use what I've learned to overcome long-standing issues - bit by bit - over the last 5 years. The quality of my life is enormously better these days!
And just as good, I'm no longer paying for therapy - I decided after a few months that my weekly I-Group was much more productive for me than any professional therapy, so I stopped going. Granted, my case is unusual. Most guys I know DO stay in therapy of some kind (or AA, NA, etc) if they were already in it before taking MKP's training. MKP is NOT a substitute for therapy, and I would not advocate that anyone stop therapy just because that's what I chose to do.
So my personal experience is that trained, educated, licensed professionals were not able to help me, whereas a bunch of unlicensed men helped me tremendously - and more importantly taught me how to help myself. Years of experience has convinced me which approach is more effective -- for me.
So I agree, time IS valuable - in my opinion, too valuable to have continued with conventional therapies that were not, over 16 years, productive or effective for me.
That's my story... and thanks for spending YOUR valuable time reading my words.
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rrmoderator
And why would someone seek help in their life from MP rather than a more safe and conventional approach through a licensed professional?
A licensed professional would seem better qualified, educated, accountable and less problematic in dealing with personal issues, such as those identified, explored and examined through an MP weekend.
Why do you think a man should give his valuable time to MP rather than spend that same time more conventionally with a licensed marriage and family therapist or through individual or group therapy with a clinical psychologist?
Doesn't that make more sense time-wise and practically?
Time is valuable, so woldn't it be more proudctive and safe for someone concerned about personal issues to schedule scarce and valuable time with a qualified professional licensed in their rather than a philosophical group like MP?