Shahieda Jansen

I am a registered clinical psychologist with a special interest in masculinities, particularly African masculinities. My PhD thesis made the "emotional expression circle bigger" by zooming in on the minutia of male emotional engagement in all-male psychotherapy groups. I am preoccupied with the practice of men and emotions: men's groups, father-son consultations, couple work etc. Bringing together masculinities and psychotherapy is disruptive on several levels. African (relational-ethical) men are as competent (as women) with personal vulnerability. Framing men as resistant to expressions of vulnerability may take the spotlight from some of the real problems of psychotherapy, such as the intertwinement of therapy with femininity and neoliberalism.