Today we’d like to introduce you to Simon Niblock.
Simon, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Years ago, I found myself on a personal voyage that required me to examine and attend to the most important assets I will ever own – my mind and mental health. I had been drinking from the firehose of the corporate world for almost 25 years. As a result, I was discontent with my work, my marriage was failing, and it seemed like no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t realize the vision I had for my life.
I also recognized during that tumultuous period that I wasn’t alone. Many of my male friends and colleagues were also struggling. Anxiety, depression, substance abuse, and relationship issues were widespread. So I tackled the stigma of seeking help and found myself a therapist.
The insight I acquired from my own ‘mental’ work prompted me to seek a new career pathway. A decade or more and thousands of conversations with men later, as a licensed marriage and family therapist, I frequently reflect on how life helped me find my passion.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It’s been a long yet rewarding journey since I initially left my homeland of New Zealand in the early 90s. Since then, I’ve lived and worked all over the place, including Australia, the United Kingdom, South East Asia, and now, here in Austin for the past ten years. It can be daunting to navigate the logistics and bureaucracy of moving to and living in another country. Moving to the US was undoubtedly the most challenging thing I’d ever tackled. It was incredibly tough navigating both immigration and the education systems. Unfortunately, my prior education qualifications weren’t recognized here, so I had to go back to school to practice.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
As a licensed marriage and family therapist, my clinical passion is supporting men with a wide range of mental health and wellbeing issues. In addition, I have a private practice where I provide a range of individual therapeutic services, group programs, and online programs.
I’m the author of the Anxiety Workbook for Men, Evidence-Based Practices to Manage Anxiety, Depression, and Worry, available on Amazon. In addition, I have just released a new online, self-paced course helping men identify and reduce the impact of stress and burnout.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
Engaging in therapy for some men can be daunting, and sadly, there’s still a lot of stigma about men seeking help. However, when guys do reach out, they are often pleasantly surprised at how well it can work. I always suggest to someone concerned about the time or cost of therapy that there are always options available. So make that first call, and advocate what works best for you. A lack of accessibility shouldn’t be a barrier to seeking support to improve your health and wellbeing.
Contact Info:
- Email: therapyformen@simonniblock.com
- Website: www.simonniblock.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simon.niblock/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ConnectwithSimon
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCBS4nd4RqQI2d5ZcPr3xrUg
Image Credits
Photography by Brandon Hill
