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Mettle Helps Men Overcome Avoidance and Rebuild Emotional Safety
Mettle is a male-focused private practice and social enterprise for men (and women supporting them) experiencing low self-confidence, isolation, loneliness, anxiety, family issues, work-related stress, and low-self esteem by applying person-centred therapy with cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), and strength-based therapy.
Mettle meets men where they are in their headspace and exists to strengthen everyday life, in a way that respects individual needs and values. 🤝
Ready to figure things out?
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Community Partnerships in Southport and the Liverpool City Region
Male-Focused In-Person and Online Support
Mettle offers local support across Southport, including neighbouring areas Birkdale, Ainsdale, Churchtown, and Duke's, and extends its services to nearby communities such as Scarisbrick, Tarleton Village, Hesketh Bank, and Formby for men preferring in-person counselling.
If you prefer the flexibility of remote sessions or cannot travel wherever you are in the UK, you can access support from anywhere with a stable internet connection and a distraction free, private environment.
What You May Be Struggling With
Men often deal with problems that are difficult to manage alone and rarely share them with others, culture and society taught us to 'Man Up!' which is BS, all men deserve to be heard. Over time you might notice pressure building and your body becoming more agitated at very minor things that you once wouldn't have considered an issue, these begin to feel harder to handle and others begin to notice. Here are a selection of concerns Mettle helps men with.
Persistent Tension
Stress that doesn't ease up, even when you try to push through it.
Unprocessed Feelings
Feelings that are difficult to explain or make sense of.
Life's Pressures
Pressure from work or changes in relationships can leave you feeling worn down.
Difficulty Expressing
Knowing something is wrong but not being able to explain it.
Counselling provides a confidential neutral ground to talk without pressure. Here, you can explore what feels confusing or heavy, taking steady steps towards understanding and clarity.
How Counselling Helps Men
Counselling at Mettle helps you step back and understand what's happening.
Clearer Thinking & Direction
Make sense of what has been happening and decide what to do next.
Steadier Emotions
Understand your reactions and respond differently.
New Ways to Respond
Recognise patterns and change how you respond.
You don't need to have everything figured out before you begin. Come with your questions, unfinished thoughts, unresolved experiences, or feelings you can't yet describe. Support is here.
The Mettle Counselling Approach
Counselling at Mettle is straightforward and professional. Sessions focus on what is happening in your life and what you want to work through.
Clear and Confidential
Conversations are confidential and handled professionally. You can talk openly about what is happening without pressure or judgment.
You Set the Direction
You decide what to bring to the conversation. Different approaches can be used where helpful.
Practical Where Helpful
Where useful, approaches such as CBT or strengths-based methods can be used.
Counselling helps you make sense of what has been happening and decide what to do next.

If you are seeking NHS-based psychological support, you can self refer via your GP or via https://mhm.limbic.ai/ alternatively you can call them on: 0300 303 2708
Why Men Struggle & Why They Don't Reach Out
Most men wait longer than they need to. You don't have to.
Men come to counselling for many reasons:
  • Work stress and pressure, including financial burdens
  • Anxiety and persistent overthinking
  • Low mood or depression
  • Relationship difficulties or separation
  • Feeling stuck or uncertain about direction
  • Significant life changes, like retirement
  • Low confidence and imposter syndrome
  • Adjusting to chronic pain
  • Loneliness or social withdrawal
  • Anger and difficulty managing reactions
  • Sleep problems
  • Alcohol or drug use
  • Trauma or adverse childhood experiences
  • Grief and loss
  • ADHD, including late diagnosis
  • Burnout and emotional exhaustion
But just as important are the reasons men don't reach out:
  • Feeling like you should handle it yourself
  • Worry about being seen as weak or judged
  • Not wanting to burden others
  • Struggling to put things into words
  • Thinking it’s “not serious enough”
  • Believing nothing will actually change
  • Past experiences where opening up didn’t feel safe
  • Getting used to pushing things down and carrying on
  • Not knowing where to start
  • Feeling uncomfortable talking about emotions
If you recognise yourself in any of this, you're not the problem. These are learned patterns and they can change.
Mettle is a neutral ground where you can talk candidly, without pressure.
or email: info@mettletherapy.co.uk
Who You'll Work With
Understanding who you speak to, and eventually work with, can make the first step easier.
Counselling and therapy at Mettle is provided by me! (Chris Brotherton), a qualified counsellor in Southport.
I trained as a Therapeutic Counsellor at Southport College for 3 years, and will complete a Level 5 Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, and a Level 5 in Restorative Approaches in 2026, as part of my lifelong commitment to learning and developing my capacity to support others in different ways.
In 2025, I gained advanced training in Single-Session Therapy during my training with Professor Windy Dryden, Emeritus Professor of Psychotherapy at Goldsmiths, University of London, and author of over 300 psychotherapy books. A prolific international figure in the world of counselling and psychotherapy.
I have applied myself primarily in men's mental health crisis and wellbeing services at Sean's Place in Bootle, and Healthbox CIC in Chester since 2024.
Alongside this private practice, I run a free-to-access mental health social enterprise, working from The Salvation Army in Southport. This free offer is limited by my time to 4-hours each Monday, for members of the homeless community and Southport residents alike that would otherwise struggle to access mental health support because of cost. I'm also a Professional Mentor for the LFC Foundation supporting 16-25 year-olds with career guidance, this is underpinned by my 15+ years as a Recruitment Consultant.
As an ethical professional, I'm fully insured, and hold Accredited Registrant Membership with the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society (NCPS), which is a Professional Standards Authority–approved professional body. I also undertake monthly clinical supervision with a senior counselling professional to maintain safe practice and professional standards.
I also hold individual membership with the Association for Infant Mental Health and as an Addiction Professionals Advanced Practitioner Member, underpinned by relevant and recognised training in both areas and experience applying that work with adults in social care and therapeutic settings.

Ways to Get in Contact
A 10-15 minute intro call is available to get a sense of Mettle and ask questions. Times are set aside daily, excluding Mondays, between 09:00 and 11:00 for new enquiries.
Free calls are not therapy sessions. Calls are held via Teams (link sent to your email to connect via your preferred device) or we can talk by phone.
Book your free call using our online booking calendar,
or get in touch first via email at info@mettletherapy.co.uk
or message by WhatsApp on 07368 947855.
Messages are usually responded to on the same-day, and same-day calls can be arranged if there's availability.
Professional Standards
Practice adheres to the NCPS Code of Ethical Practice and professional standards
Find Mettle On
Mettle offers professional counselling and therapy for men in Southport and online across the UK. Helping men manage stress, anxiety, relationships and life pressures in a private and non-judgmental setting.
Information
Availability
Bookings and free consultations are available Tuesday through Sunday by arrangement. Free support is made available each Monday.
Professional counselling for men in Southport with private in-person sessions locally and online counselling across the UK.
© 2026 Mettle Counselling and Psychotherapy. All rights reserved.