Open Mike Night

A Therapist’s Blog on Thinking, Feeling, and Functioning Better

Welcome to Open Mike Night…

A blog about manhood, mental health, and personal growth.

A Note on Well-Being from Mike Garrison:

While this blog offers generalized information, insights, and experiences, remember that your journey is unique. These writings are not a substitute for personalized, professional guidance. If something resonates but raises concerns, please reach out to a qualified provider.

Your mental, physical, and emotional health matter. Don’t wait to get the support you deserve.

Invest in yourself…you’re worth it!

Now, let’s dive into some timely topics…

The Problem with Porn
Mike Garrison Mike Garrison

The Problem with Porn

Many men eventually find themselves asking a question they didn’t expect to ask: “Why can’t I stop watching porn?” Maybe you’ve told yourself you were going to take a break. Maybe you lasted a few days. Maybe even a couple of weeks. And then one night…usually when you’re bored, stressed, or up too late…you find yourself right back where you started.

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Still Beating Yourself Up? The Psychology of Self-Forgiveness
Mike Garrison Mike Garrison

Still Beating Yourself Up? The Psychology of Self-Forgiveness

Self-forgiveness is one of the most misunderstood (and resisted) concepts in mental health. Many people interpret it as excusing mistakes, avoiding accountability, or lowering moral standards. For men in particular, self-forgiveness can feel uncomfortable, even dangerous, as if releasing self-criticism means letting oneself off the hook. Philosophically and clinically, the opposite is true.

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Why High Achieving Men Often Avoid Therapy
Mike Garrison Mike Garrison

Why High Achieving Men Often Avoid Therapy

High achieving men are capable, driven, and successful, yet many quietly wrestle with stress, perfectionism, and burnout. Here is why therapy might be the missing link in their success story.

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The Friendship Crisis for Men: How to Build Real Connections in Adulthood
Mike Garrison Mike Garrison

The Friendship Crisis for Men: How to Build Real Connections in Adulthood

Making friends as an adult man requires intentionality, courage, and persistence. It often involves awkward first steps and the vulnerability of reaching out. Yet the rewards are immense. Men who maintain strong friendships report higher levels of happiness, resilience in the face of stress, and greater life satisfaction overall. Here’s some ways to make it happen.

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EMDR Therapy for Men: How It Works and Why It Matters
Mike Garrison Mike Garrison

EMDR Therapy for Men: How It Works and Why It Matters

Originally developed to treat trauma, EMDR has since expanded into a wide range of mental health applications including anxiety, depression, performance issues, and stress management. For men in particular, who are often less likely to seek counseling and may find it difficult to express painful emotions, EMDR offers a unique and practical path to healing.

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Therapy for Men: Start Thriving
Mike Garrison Mike Garrison

Therapy for Men: Start Thriving

For many men, therapy sounds like something you only do if you are falling apart. The truth is that while some men come to therapy because they feel stuck or life does not look the way they think it should, therapy is really about getting to know yourself and leveling up. Think of therapy less as being ‘fixing what’s wrong’ and more as adding new tools to your toolbox so you can perform better at work, in relationships, and in life.

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Mental Health Issues Men Can’t Stop Searching Online
Mike Garrison Mike Garrison

Mental Health Issues Men Can’t Stop Searching Online

Let’s face it—men aren’t exactly famous for pouring their hearts out with friends. Instead, a lot of us quietly type questions into Google or ChatGPT, hoping the internet gods can decode what’s going on in our heads.

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Real Men Reflect: Why Journaling Isn’t Soft, It’s Smart
Mike Garrison Mike Garrison

Real Men Reflect: Why Journaling Isn’t Soft, It’s Smart

One of the best tools I use to get a grip on my feelings and grow emotionally is journaling. It is one of the most powerful ways to externalize your emotions, gain clarity, and ultimately level up your emotional intelligence. Here’s why and how I have made it part of my regular routine for decades.

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The Doubt Within: Overcoming Imposter Syndrome
Mike Garrison Mike Garrison

The Doubt Within: Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

That creeping sensation that you're a fraud about to be exposed? There's a name for it, and you're not alone in feeling it. Welcome to Imposter Syndrome—the psychological phenomenon that has accomplished professionals everywhere looking over their shoulders, waiting for the jig to be up.

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