Dr. Zach Rawlings

04/05/2025

Gay men are often masters of performance—charming, put-together, and resilient. But beneath the surface, many of us are carrying invisible burdens: anxiety, body image struggles, loneliness, and the pressure to always keep it together.

In my latest blog post, I explore the deeper mental health challenges gay men face—and how healing begins when we stop performing and start connecting.

I spent my lunch hour last Wednesday waiting in a long online queue for tickets to Lady Gaga’s upcoming Mayhem tour. My friends and I were typing furiously in our group chat, tracking our places in line to score presale tickets. My spot? 15,932. Presumably, mostly gay men. Needless to say, I haven...

03/21/2025

Trauma doesn’t just live in the past—it echoes in our relationships, our bank accounts, and our sense of self.

In my latest blog, I explore three ways trauma traps gay and q***r men in painful cycles—self-abuse, financial instability, and generational wounds—and how we begin to break free.

This isn’t just about coping. It’s about reclaiming our lives, our worth, and our connection to one another.

Trauma leaves deep and lasting effects, not only on individuals but on entire communities. As gay and q***r men, many of us have firsthand experience with the ways trauma weaves itself into our lives—whether through childhood rejection, societal stigma, or the lingering impact of living in a world...

03/02/2025

Men are often taught to suppress their emotions—except for two. In my latest piece for The Good Men Project, I explore how this emotional restriction shapes men's mental health, relationships, and well-being. It’s time to expand the emotional vocabulary. Read more here:

It’s easy to assume that men are emotionally simple or even “cold.” But is that the whole story?

02/26/2025

In my latest blog, I explore three key ways trauma affects us, from altering brain function to impacting relationships and even passing down through generations. Understanding these effects can empower us to seek healing and reclaim our sense of safety.

If you or someone you love is struggling with trauma, therapy—especially EMDR—can be a powerful tool for recovery. Read more and take the first step toward healing.

Trauma is often associated with extreme experiences—such as physical or sexual assault, natural disasters, or witnessing violence. However, the reality is that trauma can stem from a wide variety of life events that overwhelm a person's ability to cope. These may include relational issues, grief, ...

02/20/2025

With everything happening in the world right now, it's no surprise that so many people are feeling anxious, overwhelmed, or just… stuck. If you've been wondering whether therapy might be right for you, this could be a good time to check in with yourself. In my latest blog post, I share five signs that therapy could help—because mental health matters, no matter what’s going on around us.

The idea that therapy is only for people who are severely mentally ill or “crazy” is a persistent misconception. While therapy has become more culturally accepted—even trendy in some circles—stigma still prevents many people from seeking the help they need. In fact, a 2021 study published in...

01/31/2017

A little project I got to work on with VICE

01/30/2017

http://www.vox.com/science-and-health/2017/1/28/14425658/fear-of-refugees-explained

Fear of refugees and immigrants is emotional. That's what makes it so powerful.

06/28/2016

There's a mental health problem that's plaguing the gay community. Check out my latest piece.
https://medium.com//why-gay-men-left-all-their-shirts-in-the-closet-how-the-age-of-the-shirtless-selfie-is-devastating-a6f595aa5e02 #.z7tbszqd3

I remember that day in first grade. His name was Jack and he was in my class. He had called me “gay” on the playground and we had to have a…

06/08/2016

R**e Culture at its finest. http://www.vox.com/2016/6/8/11883112/brock-turner-stanford-rape

Unbelievable.