EMOTIONAL FITNESS AND BEING A DADDY

Let’s call him Jason. 20. Tall, muscular blonde with an angelic face he looks down when I speak in my therapy practice.

“Look at me when I talk to you”, I say, raising my authoritative voice.

“What is it…” he says looking me square in the eyes and I interrupt him. “No Jason”, I lift my index finger. “Speak up. What did I tell you about confidence? About speaking with a soft voice? Nobody will take you seriously if you talk into your chest and neither will I. And sit up straight”.

He adjusts his posture and volume, and deepening his voice he asks “What is it to man up? To be a man”? “Interesting”, I reply, knowing very well that his insecurities stem deeply from his absent father. His separation anxiety amplified by his awareness