ABOUT
Andrew Smiler, PhD, is an author and licensed therapist with expertise in adolescent boys, men, and masculinity. He is the author of “Is Masculinity Toxic?: A Primer for the 21st Century“, the award winning “Dating and Sex: A Guide for the 21st Century Teen Boy,” and co-author of “The Masculine Self (6th ed)” with renowned researcher Chris Kilmartin. He also wrote “Challenging Casanova: Beyond the stereotype of the promiscuous young male.”
Dr. Smiler addressed the question “What does it mean to be ‘man enough’?” at TEDxGreensboro (2020). His approach to therapeutic work with boys is illustrated in the training video “Building a Therapeutic Alliance with Adolescent Boys.”
Dr. Smiler is a past president of the Society for the Psychological Study of Men and Masculinities (SPSMM), and has received their Distinguished Professional Service award (2016) and Researcher of the Year award (2007). He has also served as their chair of Communications and Media committee (2014-2016). He is a past president of Male Survivor: National Organization Against Male Sexual Victimization, where he also served as treasurer. Dr. Smiler also served as the Editor-in-Chief of Online Publications for the Society for Research on Adolescence (2017-2020). His 2004 article “Thirty years after the discovery of gender: Psychological concepts and measures of masculinity” is among the 20 most referenced articles in the academic journal Sex Roles.
As a therapist, Dr. Smiler helps teenage boys and adult men understand themselves and find better ways to communicate with the important people in their life. In addition to issues such as depression, anxiety, and family conflict, he also works with clients around issues related to gender identity, sexual orientation, and other issues related to sexuality. He conducts both individual therapy and family therapy.
Dr. Smiler received his PhD in Developmental Psychology from the University of New Hampshire, an MA in Clinical Psychology from Towson University, and BS degrees in Psychology and Mathematics from Virginia Tech.
Professional Organizations
- Board Treasurer (2018)
- Board President (2017)
- Member, Board of Directors (2015-2018)
The Society for the Psychological Study of Men and Masculinity
- President (2011), Director of Communication and Media (2015-2017)
- Distinguished Professional Service award (2016)
- Researcher of the Year (2007)
The Society for Research on Adolescence
- Editor in Chief, Online Publications (2017-present)