Date: Thursday, May 7, 2026
Time: 11:00 am – 1:00 pm ET / 8:00 am – 10:00 am PT

Presented by: Alex Rodrigues, Psy.D. (see bio)

To be eligible for a certificate of attendance, you must attend the entire live training and complete an evaluation form within 24 hours following the live event.

Please note: This training is not eligible for CE credits.

Online Training Description:

In recent years, the emotional and social challenges faced by young men have sparked wide-ranging discussion and debate. Rising rates of anxiety and depression, together with shifting ideas about masculinity, gender, and sexuality, have created new complexities for clinicians and educators. At the same time, the explosive growth of social media has amplified the voices of content creators whose strong opinions and large followings profoundly influence children, adolescents, and emerging adults, often without clear guidance for the professionals who support them.

Among the most concerning developments is the rise of online communities and influencers who promote harmful stereotypes about both men and women. This corner of the internet, often referred to as the manosphere, includes loosely connected groups such as self-described incels, pick-up artists, and “men going their own way.” The content they produce can range from overtly misogynistic material—sometimes cited as motivation for violent acts—to subtler messages that fuel anxiety and insecurity among young men, such as pressures to conform to unrealistic standards of appearance and physique (“looksmaxing”).

Dr. Alex Rodrigues developed this training to help professionals understand the manosphere and support clients exposed to its damaging narratives. Through an overview of key figures, historical context, and underlying psychological drivers, Dr. Rodrigues explores why young men are drawn to these online spaces and how these beliefs take hold. The training concludes with evidence-based strategies for fostering healthier conceptions of masculinity, centered on accountability, empathy, emotional expression, and respect across all genders.

As a result of this training, participants will be able to:

1) Describe central aspects of the manosphere and its place in the online world
2) Explain the manosphere’s potential social and emotional impacts on young men
3) Initiate therapeutic interventions that help young clients evaluate the content that they are exposed to in the manosphere

Interactive Follow-Up Meeting

Attendees are invited to join an open discussion 15 minutes following the end of the training, where you can engage with fellow attendees by turning on your camera and microphone. This is an opportunity to share your experiences and contribute to a meaningful exchange of ideas. Time will be allocated to address questions or insights from the training. Please note that attendance is optional and will not affect your eligibility for a training certificate.

We can refund your training fee up to 24 hours prior to the start of the training.

To view all training details and review our list of frequently asked questions, please click here to visit the promotional page.