Supporting Adolescent Boys’ Emotional Resilience with Homeopathy

There’s a quiet revolution happening in bedrooms, skate parks, and school corridors. It is not loud, not publicised, and not often spoken about at the dinner table - but it is real. It’s the revolution of boyhood becoming manhood, of unspoken fears meeting uncharted feelings, and of young hearts learning the weight and wonder of emotion. A stark awakening to this has been masterfully highlighted in the recent Netflix drama named Adolescence.

In these in-between years - where limbs stretch and voices deepen, where the boy must relinquish his smaller self to make space for the man - many are quietly floundering. What once soothed now irritates. What once made sense is suddenly confusing. And in the heart of this turmoil, we find a question older than civilisation itself: how do we guide our sons through the crucible of adolescence with strength, grace, and emotional truth?

Homeopathy offers one such way.

It is not the only way. But it is a wise one - tender yet firm, attuned to the deep rhythms of the inner life, and potent in its capacity to meet the soul at its own frequency. When woven into a holistic web of care, homeopathy becomes more than medicine - it becomes a mirror, a map, and a gentle hand on the shoulder.

• Adolescence is a potent rite of passage that shapes mental health and emotional strength for life.

• Homeopathy can be used to support boys’ emotional resilience, particularly when conventional approaches feel impersonal or disempowering.

• Remedies such as Natrum muriaticum, Pulsatilla, Lycopodium, and Golden Spiral help address grief, fear of failure, mood swings, and identity struggles.

• Using homeopathy is not just symptom management - it’s an act of deep listening and honouring a boy’s inner journey into manhood.

• This article explores practical ways to integrate homeopathy into your son’s life as part of a broader framework of rites of passage and emotional support for men.

The Unseen Weight Boys Carry

For generations, we have clothed boys in metaphorical armour. “Man up.” “Don’t cry.” “Be strong.” But beneath the plating, there is a boy. A real boy. One who dreams and doubts, who weeps in private, who longs to be seen - not for how well he hides his pain, but for the courage it takes to feel it.

I speak sometimes about how I grew up without parents, without any solid role model in my life but ultimately and crucially without that light to guide me in my growth – without someone to hold that pain and show me how to be an adaptive, well balanced, but strong human in the world. I remember moments of despair that I could not name. Feelings I didn’t yet have language for. A rage that flared like wildfire, not against others, but against my own tenderness. I did not need fixing - I needed witnessing. I needed initiation.

Yet in our modern world, true rites of passage have all but vanished. What’s left are lonely bedrooms, performance-driven classrooms, and the poisonous digital echo chambers of social media. Adolescence has become a pressure cooker, with mental health crises spiralling and boys left to manage them with a shrinking toolkit.

It is here, precisely here, that homeopathy enters - not as a cure-all, but as a companion on the inward path.

Interest: The Nature of Adolescence and the Language of Remedies

Adolescence is not a problem to be solved - it is a metamorphosis to be honoured.

Just as caterpillars dissolve into formless mush before becoming butterflies, our boys too must pass through periods of chaos and breakdown. Their identity is shifting. Hormones surge like tides under a full moon. Emotions appear without explanation, demanding to be felt. This is not pathology - it is sacred transformation.

But the world is often too impatient to recognise it. We offer diagnoses when what’s needed is discernment. We prescribe suppression when the soul cries for integration. We seek to smooth over discomfort rather than walk alongside it and hold it – to allow it to be what it is and work with it.

Homeopathy, however, listens differently.

It listens like a mountain elder might listen - silently, attentively, to the trembling voice beneath the anger, the hidden grief behind the withdrawal, the longing behind the bravado. Remedies don’t suppress - they resonate. They reflect. They nudge the body and psyche towards remembering their wholeness.

Some remedies for adolescent boys may include:

Natrum Muriaticum:

For the boy who holds everything inside. He may appear reserved or aloof, yet his inner world is vast. He carries grief quietly and resists comfort. He may have experienced a betrayal or deep sadness he cannot speak of.

Pulsatilla:

For the boy who feels things deeply and seeks affection but becomes easily overwhelmed. His moods shift like weather, and he may cling to others for reassurance, though part of him wishes to stand on his own.

Lycopodium:

For the boy who fears failure. He might overcompensate with arrogance, but it’s a mask for inner insecurity. He dreads being wrong, and public speaking may cause intense anxiety. He longs for approval but doesn’t always know how to ask.

Golden Spiral:

For the adolescent boy standing at the threshold of manhood, seeking harmony amidst the tumultuous changes within. Crafted by Danica Apolline-Matić, this remedy embodies the Fibonacci Spiral - a pattern that underpins the very fabric of nature, from the swirling galaxies to the unfurling of ferns. It resonates with the body’s innate rhythms, aiming to align the young man’s internal transformations with the universal order. By fostering a sense of balance and interconnectedness, Golden Spiral supports the journey through adolescence, encouraging emotional resilience and a deeper understanding of one’s evolving identity.

These are just a few voices in the larger symphony of homeopathy, each remedy a thread in the tapestry of a boy’s unfolding self.

A Different Vision of Support for Men

Imagine a world where emotional resilience isn’t taught through suppression, but through listening. Where young men are not congratulated for masking their pain, but praised for naming it. Where the journey from boyhood to manhood is not about domination, but about depth. For too long toxic masculinity and toxic feminism have both dominated the influence of our younger generations to the point that they no longer have a true beacon of guidance to look for in the darkness of their teenage years.

In this world, support for men begins in adolescence.

Homeopathy becomes not just a set of remedies, but a living dialogue with the inner landscape. It acknowledges the messy, non-linear path of becoming. It holds space for emotional volatility not as dysfunction, but as a necessary part of individuation. At its core, homeopathy is about the energy within us and surrounding us, and how to work with that in supporting our balance.

As a father, mother, uncle, mentor or caregiver, you may sometimes feel unsure - how do you support your boy without smothering him? How do you allow space while staying close? How do you offer help without stripping him of his agency?

This is where the contemplative power of homeopathy shines. It invites you to slow down and observe - not just symptoms, but patterns. To notice when your son begins to isolate. To feel into his shifting self-image. To see which stories he’s starting to believe about himself. Then, instead of rushing in to correct or cure, you offer a small, potent gesture - a remedy that meets him where he is. Not to push him along, but to walk beside him, silently, respectfully.

How to Begin Using Homeopathy with Your Son

If this resonates, you may be wondering how to begin. Here are a few steps to integrate homeopathy into your support toolkit:

1. Create an Environment of Trust

Adolescents are intuitive. They know when you’re observing them with judgment or agenda. Instead, foster an environment of radical listening. Let them come to you in their own time. Listen with interest and with love – sometimes it can be hard to hear the words that people speak without some form of internal judgement; but there has never been a more important time to listen to them in innocence and vulnerability than this.

2. Work with a Homeopath to Support their Mental Health

While first aid remedies are safe to try at home, deeper emotional themes are best held with experienced guidance. A good homeopath will work not just with symptoms, but with the whole context of your son’s development and rites of passage.

3. Journal the Journey

Keep notes - not just of physical symptoms, but of mood, dreams, behaviour, and emotional patterns. This helps build a picture over time and can be immensely helpful in choosing remedies.

4. Integrate with Other Forms of Care

Homeopathy works best when it’s part of a holistic framework. Think nature walks, embodied movement, talking circles, creative expression, and healthy food. All of these reinforce emotional resilience and support the body’s innate balance.

5. Hold the Long View

Change may be subtle at first - a softer tone in his voice, a willingness to open up, a shift in sleep patterns. Trust the process. Adolescence is not a race. It’s a long, sacred crossing.

Closing Reflection

To support our sons is to bear witness to a metamorphosis we ourselves once survived. But let us not forget how lonely that road can be when walked without guidance, or when met only with silence.

Homeopathy offers us a lantern on this path - not a blinding light, but a soft, steady flame that says: “I see you. I honour this. You are not alone.”

As we weave this ancient medicine into our modern lives, may we remember that emotional resilience isn’t about never falling apart. It’s about learning how to come back together stronger, truer, more whole. True masculine strength has always been about adaptability in balance with the changing world, not holding firm in spite of it.

In holding this balance, we give not only our boys the gift of themselves - but the world the gift of future men who have been truly seen.

The Threshold of Becoming: Shedding Imposter Syndrome and Embracing Masculine Energy

The Seasonal Shift and the Inner Shift 

Spring has finally arrived. The cold grip of winter loosens, and with it comes a sense of renewal. The mornings are lighter, the air is softer, and the world hums with an energy that had been buried beneath months of stillness. This shift in nature is not just external - it is mirrored within. I feel it in my bones, in my thoughts, in my work. Just like throughout winter the plants grow strong roots, in the darkness of the soil, so too do we do the shadow work in the darkness of those winter months.

There is a stirring, a calling to step forward with greater confidence. And yet, alongside this natural propulsion comes hesitation, a whispering doubt. Am I truly ready? Do I belong in the space I am carving out for myself?

Imposter syndrome, that shadowy spectre, lingers at the edge of transitions. I see it in myself and in others who dare to move towards their purpose. This post is about that shift - the shedding of doubt, the embrace of masculine energy, the alignment with the rhythm of universal change.

The Shadow of Doubt: Imposter Syndrome as a Rite of Passage 

I have noticed something about imposter syndrome: it never arrives when we are stagnant. It does not haunt those who remain in the safety of the known. Instead, it is an initiation, a challenge that emerges precisely when we step into something greater.

In the world of homeopathy, taking cases is not just a skill - it is an act of trust. Trust in the process, in the remedies, in one’s own ability to hold space for another’s healing. The first few cases I took, I felt a persistent unease. Who was I to guide someone’s journey to wellness? What if I misread the case, chose the wrong remedy?

The more I sat with these doubts, the more I saw them for what they were: a threshold. A moment of passage. I have written a few recent articles on the importance of the rites of passage in the masculine realm. Across cultures and traditions, rites of passage often involve a period of uncertainty, discomfort, even fear. To become something new, one must let go of the old. Imposter syndrome is not proof of inadequacy; it is evidence of growth.

From a homeopathic perspective, I see elements of Lycopodium in imposter syndrome - the outward appearance of capability masking an inner fear of failure. There is also Silicea, the self-doubt that makes one shrink back from their own brilliance. The remedy that best fits depends on the individual, but the principle remains the same: true confidence does not mean the absence of fear; it means moving forward despite it.

There is a shift happening - not just within me, but within many people I speak to. A turning away from the distorted toxic masculinity of control and suppression, towards something more grounded, more true.

Masculine energy, in its purest form, is not about dominance but about presence. It is the ability to hold space, to offer structure without rigidity, to lead without needing to overpower. In my own journey, I have noticed how embracing this energy changes my interactions – not only with others but with myself.

In homeopathy, we see masculinity manifest in certain remedies:

• Aurum etallicum, for the man who carries the weight of responsibility but risks collapsing under it.

• Nux vomica, the driven, ambitious force that needs to temper itself with balance.

• Sulphur, the visionary who sometimes forgets to remain rooted in reality.

Learning to embody true masculine energy means knowing when to be firm and when to yield. It means recognising that strength is not in never doubting but in learning to trust oneself despite the doubt.

Spring’s Arrival: An Embodied Shift in the Universal Energy 

Spring is not just a change in weather; it is a force. It is the great exhale after a long inhale. It is movement, a loosening, a stretching of limbs that have been curled inward for too long.

I feel this shift not just in nature, but in people. There is a renewed sense of purpose, a drive to cleanse and move forward. Just as the body craves lighter foods, the spirit craves expansion. We all see this in the ‘spring cleaning’ we are suddenly driven to do in our homes at this time of year. In homeopathy, we recognise spring as a time when certain remedies are particularly relevant - Sulphur for those who feel stuck after winter’s sluggishness, Pulsatilla for those who are emotionally sensitive to change, Sepia for those who need to shake off exhaustion and reconnect with themselves.

Spring demands movement. It demands that we step out of our winter minds and into the fresh air. And in doing so, it asks us to align with its rhythm, to move in tandem with the universal shift.

There is something profoundly humbling about taking a case. To sit across from someone and listen - not just to their symptoms, but to the spaces between their words. To hear not just what they say, but what they mean.

With each case, I feel the weight of responsibility. Not in a burdensome way, but in a way that reinforces the importance of integrity in this work. Healing is not a transaction; it is a sacred exchange.

Early on, I hesitated. What if I failed them? What if I was wrong? But with each case, I learned that healing is not about perfection - it is about presence. It is about being fully there, fully attentive, and fully committed to the process. The remedies do their work; my role is to listen, to guide, to hold space.

The Universal Shift: Moving in Alignment with Change 

Something is happening. A shift not just in me, not just in those I work and learn with, but on a much larger scale. More people are questioning, searching, returning to ancestral knowledge. The rigidity of modern systems is fracturing, making space for something deeper, something older, something true. This has accelerated exponentially since 2020 I feel, when everyone experienced the extremes of allopathic medicine in its worst form.

Masculinity, as an archetype, is undergoing a profound transformation. No longer rooted in suppression, it is returning to sovereignty - a force not of control, but of protection, guidance, and structure where healing and growth can take place. In parallel, the Divine Feminine is also reclaiming its rightful place, moving beyond both oppression and reactionary extremes, into an honoured role as the maternal holder, the sacred nurturer, and the guardian of ancestral wisdom. Together, these energies weave the balance necessary for both personal and collective evolution.

Homeopathy is part of this shift. It does not impose; it aligns. It does not override; it supports. It meets people where they are and offers them what they need to move forward.

As I stand at this threshold, I feel the echoes of past hesitations, but they do not hold me as they once did. I see imposter syndrome not as a barrier, but as an initiation. I see the masculine not as something to prove, but as something to embody.

Spring is here. The world is moving, and so am I. There is work to be done, cases to take, lessons to learn. But most importantly, there is trust to cultivate - the trust that I am where I need to be, doing what I need to do.

The season calls. And I am ready to answer.

Breaking the Chains of Conditioning: Unbecoming the Man You Were Never Meant to Be

The Journey of Unbecoming: Rediscovering Authentic Masculinity

There is a wonderful quote by the famous writer Paulo Coelho - "Maybe the journey isn't so much about becoming anything. Maybe it's about unbecoming everything that isn't really you, so you can be who you were meant to be in the first place,". What a wonderful invite to ask us to reflect deeply on our personal evolution.

This concept of unbecoming aligns seamlessly with the exploration of masculine energy, a theme central to the ethos of holding space and rediscovering what it is to be healthily masculine, and healthily feminine for women in their true power and spirit, in a world full of toxic patriarchy and overzealous feminism. In the modern world, masculinity is often understood through a rigid framework that dictates how men should behave, what emotions they should express and supress, and how they should engage with the world. But what if true masculine power isn’t about adding more to oneself - more success, more strength, more control - but about stripping away the unnecessary? What if it’s about removing the false narratives that have been imposed upon us all, so that we can live authentically?

In society, we are taught that growth is about accumulation - acquiring knowledge, wealth, status, or strength. From childhood, boys are conditioned to adopt specific traits: toughness, emotional restraint, and an unwavering pursuit of success. But in this pursuit of becoming, many men lose touch with their inner truth driven by the capitalistic nature of the western world.

The process of unbecoming is different. It is an inward journey, a process of peeling away the layers of societal conditioning, false expectations, and imposed identities. It is about removing the masks that men are expected to wear - the provider, the protector, the stoic, the unshakeable force - and finding what lies beneath. This journey is not about rejection of masculinity but a reclamation of its truest essence. Masculinity is at its core an adaptable strength – an energy that can be utilised for protection, for providing, but not stoic and never unshakable. A rigid and unmovable tree will simply break when a storm arrives, adaptable and moving healthy masculinity should be able to weather even the strongest storm and come out the other side perhaps battered, but ready to grow again.

Masculine Energy: A Dual Perspective

Masculine energy, traditionally associated with traits like assertiveness, logic, and action, is often viewed through a limited lens. There is a cultural narrative that to be masculine is to dominate, to be unwavering, to suppress emotions. However, this limited perspective is only half the truth.

In their seminal work, “King, Warrior, Magician, Lover: Rediscovering the Archetypes of the Mature Masculine,” Robert Moore and Douglas Gillette explore four fundamental masculine archetypes. These archetypes offer a framework for understanding the multifaceted nature of mature masculinity:

• King: Symbolises order, blessing, and fertility. The King energy embodies responsibility and nurturing leadership.

• Warrior: Represents assertiveness, courage, and protection. This energy is about setting boundaries and taking decisive action.

• Magician: Embodies wisdom, insight, and transformation. The Magician is the thinker, the one who understands hidden truths.

• Lover: Signifies passion, empathy, and connectivity. This archetype is attuned to the beauty of life and the depth of relationships.

By ‘unbecoming’ the false notions attached to masculinity, men can access these archetypal energies in their mature forms, leading to a more integrated and authentic self.

A more holistic approach recognises that masculine energy is not about control but presence; not about suppression but conscious expression. Strength is not in avoiding vulnerability but in embracing it. True masculine energy is dynamic - it knows when to act and when to surrender, when to protect and when to nurture. The ancient archetypes of the warrior, the king, the magician, and the lover illustrate this well: masculine energy is multidimensional, encompassing wisdom, creativity, courage, and deep emotional connection.

When we strip away the false layers imposed by culture, what remains is an authentic masculinity - one that is deeply rooted in purpose, integrity, and connection with the world.

A Rite of Passage

For two decades of my life I was caught in the trap of becoming - pursuing goals that were not mine, striving to meet expectations that did not align with my values. I had built a version of myself that I thought was necessary to succeed, but the more I climbed, the more I felt disconnected.

It wasn’t until I allowed myself to question everything - my beliefs, my patterns, my motivations - that I began to shed the layers that weren’t truly mine. This process has felt like dismantling of my identity, an undoing of everything I thought I was supposed to be. It is uncomfortable, unsettling, and at times very painful. But as I let go of these external identities, I begin to feel something I haven’t felt in a long time - freedom.

This I my rite of passage. Not a physical ordeal, but an internal transformation. Many traditional cultures recognised the importance of such rites - ceremonies that marked the transition from boyhood to manhood, requiring young men to face hardship, self-reflection, and deep transformation. Today, most men never undergo such initiations. Instead, they are left to navigate manhood without guidance, often adopting external markers of masculinity rather than discovering their inner truth. I am hoping that in my rediscovery, that I can also build a balanced world for my family in their growth as well.

The Interconnectedness of Natural Systems

Nature offers profound lessons in authenticity and balance. Consider the way a river carves its path - not by force, but by yielding to the natural contours of the land. It does not resist change but embraces it, constantly reshaping itself in accordance with the environment. Similarly, trees shed their leaves in autumn, not out of loss but in preparation for renewal.

As men, we can learn from this. Masculinity, at its core, is not rigid; it is fluid and adaptable. It requires us to be present and responsive, rather than clinging to outdated models of what it means to be a man. The process of unbecoming is much like the shedding of leaves - it is a necessary surrender that allows for new growth.

Many men today struggle with a sense of direction because they have never undergone a significant rite of passage, which I talk about more here. Without these experiences, we remain in a state of arrested development, clinging to adolescence or outdated ideas of success.

Historically, rites of passage served as transformative experiences, guiding individuals into a deeper understanding of themselves and their roles within their community. These rites forced an individual to confront his limitations, to shed his old identity, and to emerge as something more refined, more authentic.

Modern rites of passage can take many forms: a journey into the wilderness, deep meditation, fasting, or confronting one's fears head-on. The essence of these rites is the same - stripping away all that is unnecessary to reveal what is truly essential.

Mental Well-being and Integrating 'Unbecoming' into Daily Practice

The alignment with one's authentic self has profound implications for mental well-being. When there is congruence between our inner values and outward actions, we experience a deep sense of peace. Conversely, when we wear masks and live inauthentically, we often struggle with stress, anxiety, and depression. I talk about that more here as well.

Many men today suffer in silence, conditioned to believe that asking for help or showing vulnerability is a sign of weakness. However, true strength lies in honesty - with oneself and others. The journey of unbecoming invites us to embrace our full humanity, recognising that emotions, intuition, and deep connection are as much a part of masculinity as strength and action.

To embark on this journey of unbecoming and harmonise masculine energy, consider these practices:

1. Self-Reflection and regular introspection helps identify aspects of ourselves that are socially conditioned rather than innately true.

2. Mindfulness Practices and engaging in meditation or journaling can heighten awareness of our genuine desires and values.

3. Embracing Vulnerability and allowing ourselves to be open and vulnerable fosters deeper connections and authentic living.

4. Challenging Societal Norms and critically assessing and, when necessary, defying societal expectations that don't resonate with our true selves.

5. Connecting with Nature - spending time in natural environments can ground us and reflect the simplicity and authenticity we seek.

6. Engaging in physically demanding activities can serve as a modern rite of passage, pushing beyond limitations and deepening self-awareness.

7. Creating Sacred Spaces and setting aside time for solitude and reflection can be a powerful tool in reconnecting with one's inner self.

The journey of unbecoming is a transformative path towards authenticity, aligning closely with the balanced expression of masculine energy. By shedding imposed identities and embracing our true selves, we not only enhance our own well-being but also contribute more meaningfully to the world around us. This process, rich with introspection and courage, leads us back to who we were always meant to be.

True masculinity is not found in conquest, control, or performance - it is found in presence, in self-acceptance, and in the courage to live fully and authentically. As we embrace unbecoming, we step into a deeper, richer, and more meaningful expression of who we are. And perhaps, in doing so, we finally come home to ourselves.