The Elephant (& Donkey) In the Room
- Allan Shedlin
- Mar 27
- 3 min read
Guest Post by Celenie B. Singley, MBA, and Dr. Dan Singley, Founder, Center for Men's Excellence, a D3F Circle of Friends Member Organization
At the Center for Men’s Excellence, we don’t endorse a single “best” way to be a man or take sides in political matters. However, the current climate in the U.S. is marked by intense polarization and rapid changes in both government and private industry, increasing uncertainty about the future. The constant barrage of divisive news, social media debates, and perceived threats to personal values and safety can create a mix of anxiety, pessimism, excitement, and optimism, depending on your perspective.
This stress is compounded by policy shifts affecting healthcare access, social safety nets, and legal protections, leading to greater feelings of vulnerability. For those already facing mental health challenges, these stressors can worsen symptoms, making it harder to cope and maintain stability.
Political divisions can also cause isolation and strain relationships, making it difficult to find support. When public discourse becomes highly charged, individuals may feel alienated from those with differing views. Additionally, the politicization of mental health can create barriers to seeking help, as some may fear judgment, stigma, or a lack of like-minded providers.
The politicization of mental health can create barriers to seeking help
These factors contribute to an environment where mental health struggles are intensified, and support feels harder to access. If you're struggling, there are mental health professionals available here at The Center or elsewhere, ready to offer balanced, flexible, and evidence-based therapy to help you and your loved ones navigate these challenges. Experienced counselors just a call or email away!
Be excellent to each other.
STARTS MONDAY, APRIL 7
Dr. Dan Singley and Celenie Singley, MBA, are parents to two sons. He is the founder of the Center for Men’s Excellence, a San Diego-based board-certified psychologist, and Director with over 20 years of clinical experience. His research and practice focus on men’s mental health, with a particular emphasis on reproductive psychology and the transition to fatherhood. Dr. Singley won the American Psychological Association’s 2017 Practitioner of the Year Award from the Division on Men & Masculinities. He is Past President of the APA’s Section on Positive Psychology and is the current President of the APA’s Division 51 – Society for the Psychological Study of Men and Masculinities. He also serves on the President’s Advisory Council for Postpartum Support International (PSI). Dr. Singley co-authored Parental Mental Health: Factoring in Fathers with PSI co-founder Jane Honikman to give clinicians and parents alike key tools to take a gender-inclusive approach to the transition to parenthood.
Dr. Singley conducts training and presentations around the country to assist individuals and organizations to enhance their level of father inclusiveness. He developed PSI's Foundations in Paternal Perinatal Mental Health training to give mental health professionals advanced training to work more effectively with men and fathers from conception through a year postpartum, AKA "the dude-to-dad transition!" In 2017, Dr. Singley founded International Fathers’ Mental Health Day with his colleagues to draw attention to the unique experiences and challenges new dads often face. Dr. Singley also founded Basic Training for New Dads, Inc., a grant-funded organization that gives new fathers the necessary tools to be highly-engaged with their infants and partners. In his free time, Dr. Singley likes to cook, surf, read, and annoy his sons with "shrinky" questions about men and masculinity. He graduated from the University of Virginia and earned his Ph.D. with a doctoral minor in Industrial/Organization Psychology from the nation’s top-ranked Counseling Psychology program at the University of Maryland.
Celenie Singley earned her B.A. from Emory University and MBA from George Washington University. Her background includes working with software development and deep expertise in website creation, search engine optimization, and social media marketing. She developed the Quality Assurance department from the ground up and subsequently took on the role of Software Development Project Manager at a very successful software startup. She also builds websites and optimizes them for search engines, and has provided social media consulting as a solopreneur in the mental health space. As the group practice at the Center for Men’s Excellence has grown, Celenie has taken on full-time operations responsibilities, including accounting, website, and social media management. She also is the resident handyperson and generally works to make sure everything is running smoothly at the Center.
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