Awesome that you're staying away from meds and going for the natural route. That's a big plus. Meds are a trap and a nightmare for alot of people, and can really fuck your brain permanently in some cases. Have you looked into the Paleo diet? People have reported good improvements with anxiety, depression and bi-polar once they cut out grains, excess carbs and really got serious about the good fats, protein and vegetables. It sounds like it's made life alot more smooth and manageable for many people.
In terms of therapy:
Check out the Hoffman Process for addressing childhood/parent issues. http://www.hoffmaninstitute.org. Check the videos there too for some idea of what it's like. I havent done it yet, but I really like the sound of it - one intensive week and you're done, and hopefully instead of years of weekly sessions.
Beyond that I really, really like the "Internal Family Systems" literature. It's not about families, but rather about the different "parts" of you and how everyone is really a system of sub-personalities - someone might have a defiant part, an anxious part, a procrastinating part, etc etc. For bi-polar or manic-depressive, they would look at it as two competing parts of you (or two groups of parts) that are in opposition, and fighting for "the driving seat". In the therapy you work with different parts of yourself, open up dialogues and negotiation between them, and help them heal their burdens.
A couple of books on it have blown my mind, given me an amazing understanding of myself and other people. It's the model of the psyche that makes the most sense IMO. Im working thru two of their workbooks (one each for a different issue) and I have to say they are finally giving me deep insight and some progress on stuff that I've been stuck with for years.
Check out http://www.selfleadership.org and http://www.personal-growth-programs.com. the book "Self Therapy" is the place to start.
P.S. you have a good point about Therapy being biased towards beta-tude. This is a pervasive problem in it. One thing I would say is there ARE some male therapists out there who are also pretty savvy when it comes to masculinity. People who value things like courage, persistence, meeting women, taking action, etc. Probably not as hardcore as Bang or the Manosphere, but there are guys who do therapy who are men who own their masculinity and "get it". I met the founder of the Hoffman process here in the UK on an info evening and he's pretty masculine and grounded, good boundaries and came across as a strong leader. He also talks about seeing his future wife on stage in a theater deciding she's the one for him then going backstage and approaching her after and making it happen - and now they're married.
I know at least one therapist who I've spoken with personally who does IFS who fits this description too, and also has a hot girlfriend. So there are strong guys in the field. I can PM you a couple of links if you want.
In terms of therapy:
Check out the Hoffman Process for addressing childhood/parent issues. http://www.hoffmaninstitute.org. Check the videos there too for some idea of what it's like. I havent done it yet, but I really like the sound of it - one intensive week and you're done, and hopefully instead of years of weekly sessions.
Beyond that I really, really like the "Internal Family Systems" literature. It's not about families, but rather about the different "parts" of you and how everyone is really a system of sub-personalities - someone might have a defiant part, an anxious part, a procrastinating part, etc etc. For bi-polar or manic-depressive, they would look at it as two competing parts of you (or two groups of parts) that are in opposition, and fighting for "the driving seat". In the therapy you work with different parts of yourself, open up dialogues and negotiation between them, and help them heal their burdens.
A couple of books on it have blown my mind, given me an amazing understanding of myself and other people. It's the model of the psyche that makes the most sense IMO. Im working thru two of their workbooks (one each for a different issue) and I have to say they are finally giving me deep insight and some progress on stuff that I've been stuck with for years.
Check out http://www.selfleadership.org and http://www.personal-growth-programs.com. the book "Self Therapy" is the place to start.
P.S. you have a good point about Therapy being biased towards beta-tude. This is a pervasive problem in it. One thing I would say is there ARE some male therapists out there who are also pretty savvy when it comes to masculinity. People who value things like courage, persistence, meeting women, taking action, etc. Probably not as hardcore as Bang or the Manosphere, but there are guys who do therapy who are men who own their masculinity and "get it". I met the founder of the Hoffman process here in the UK on an info evening and he's pretty masculine and grounded, good boundaries and came across as a strong leader. He also talks about seeing his future wife on stage in a theater deciding she's the one for him then going backstage and approaching her after and making it happen - and now they're married.
I know at least one therapist who I've spoken with personally who does IFS who fits this description too, and also has a hot girlfriend. So there are strong guys in the field. I can PM you a couple of links if you want.